The Themes in The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Death
"...the mere fact of the death of a near acquaintance aroused..."
Redemption
Denial/Fear of Death
"at that very moment Ivan Illyich fell through and caught sight of the light, and it was revealed to him ..." (Ch. 12, Pg. 57)
Mortality
"Why deceive myself? Isn't it obvious to everyone but me that I am dying, and that's it's only a question of weeks, days...it may happen this moment." (Ch.4, Pg.34)
Greed
"She knew how much she was getting from the government, but she wanted to see if she can get more." (Ch. 1, Pg.10)
"Ivan Illyich is dead." (Ch. 1, Pg.3)
The Death of Ivan Ilyich
Praslovya never wanted Ivan to die because she would not have any more money coming through, but now that he's dead, she is curious about how much money she can get.
Ivan has accepted death and received another chance. He was happy and full of joy.
Ivan feared death itself and would not accept the fact that he was dying.
No one lives forever. Everyone dies eventually and no one can beat it.
Death comes for everyone. Ivan was trying to figure out between Life and Death.
One symbol in the book is The Bruise.
"...He made a false step and slipped, but being a strong and agile man he clung on and only knocked his side against the knob of the window frame." (Ch. 3, Pg. 22)
This is a symbol of obsession with status and wealth and it is detrimental to his well being.
One symbol in the book is Whist.
"While making friends in high society, Ivan starts playing whist, enjoying the card game along with his increased salary and burgeoning reputation." (Ch.2)
The card game that Ivan and his friends play is used as an distraction for Ivan illness. It stands for the shallow, materialistic concerns that people like Ivan tend to gravitate toward in order to distract themselves from their own discontent.
In the book another symbol is The Light.
the Light symbolizes Ivan moving on from the darkness and ignorance in his life and started to accepted his condition and this help him to face his fear of death.