Ivan Ilych - Accepting the Truth

April 11, 2023

The Death of Ivan Ilych - Question #1: Which moment represents the climax of this story, and why do you think so?

I think the climax comes at the moment where Ivan Ilych finally admits to himself that his life has not been a good one. The possibility of this had occurred to him three days before, but the thought was awful. He realized that the barely noticeable impulses he had silenced his whole life might have been good. He realized that his whole life had been a deception, but he refused to admit it. He fought for three days, claiming that his life had been a good one, trying to justify his life and actions to himself. And then, finally, he gives in. He admits that his life has not been right, and he also realizes there is still time for that to change. But something is still missing — Ivan Ilych is ready to do “right,” but he does not know what “right” is. It is at this point that he notices his son, and he does something he has never done in his life before. He feels sorry for him. He feels sorry for his wife. For the first time, he thinks of others rather than himself. From that point, everything is resolved.


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