Ivan Ilyich Analysis and Study Questions

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

A.  Reading Comprehension   Chapter 1 Quiz            (Part 1)

1. At the beginning of the novel when Ivan's colleagues learn of his death, why is their reaction so remarkable?

2. At the funeral service, which character tries to set up a game of bridge?

3. Who is Ivan's closest friend?

4. At the funeral, what is the real reason Praskovya wants to speak to Peter privately?
5. At the funeral, Peter feels especially uneasy when he (finish the sentence)

B.    Literary Analysis             Chapter 1 Quiz Questions

1.      What is the point of view? Who is the narrator? How do you know? What kind of narrator (limited, omniscient, etc.)

2.      What contrasting idea/s is/are presented in chapter 1?

3.      Who are the five primary characters in chapter 1?  Name and describe them using details from the text.

 

Chapter 2 Quiz Questions           Reading Comprehension

1. What type of person is Ivan attracted to?

2. Married life is pleasant for Ivan until what event occurs?

3. In his official work, Ivan tries to maintain what tone?

Literary Analysis Chapter 2 Quiz Questions

1. What metaphor does Tolstoy use to describe Ivan’s relationship to his social superiors?

2.  What foreign language terms are used in this chapter? Find out what they mean. What might the author’s purpose be in using these terms?

3. What is significant about Ivan’s attempt/ability to close himself off from the emotional/unpleasant aspects of his job/life by reducing everything to a mere form on a paper?

Comprehension questions for Chapters 3 and 4

1. Why does Ivan take a leave of absence from work and move with his family to the country?
2. Why does Ivan receive a new appointment with a higher paying salary?
3. What event precipitates Ivan's illness?
4. What is Ivan’s greatest pleasure in life?
5. What adjectives can you think of to characterize the doctors' attitude toward Ivan?  In what way is this ironic?

Analysis Questions for Chapters 3 - 4

1. In view of his professional life, how is Ivan's fall from the stepladder is especially symbolic?

2. Explain the irony between the symptoms Prakovya experiences during her pregnancy and the experiences Ivan experiences.

3. Explain how the fact that life's unpleasantness causes the pain that Ivan experiences is a key to Ivan's condition

4. How is the game of bridge a metaphor for Ivan’s view of life?

Comprehension Questions for Chapter 5– 8

1. How does Ivan learn of the extent of his physical degeneration? 
2. How does Ivan deal with unpleasant situations or relationships?
3. Who is Gerasim? What does Gerasim do that eases Ivan's physical pain?

4. What bothers Ivan more than the physical pain?
5. Who is the only person that does not lie about the nature of Ivan's condition? 
6. One night, Praskovya, Lisa, and Lisa's fiancé decide to go where? What does Ivan think about this?

Analysis Questions for Chapters 5-8

1. There is an interesting shift in the narrative at this point. Explain this shift and explain why you think it is important.

2. What is the turning point for Ivan in terms of coming to terms with his illness?

3. In Chapter 6, two abstract ideas are represented by the word “It”?  What do you think these ideas might be? Why do you think that the author uses the word “It” to represent them? How does this shift affect the reader?

4. Gerasim is most likely an allegorical character, which means he stands for abstract ideas. What ideas do you think he might stand for? Explain.   

Comprehension Questions 09 – 12                                                        

1. Ivan dreams of what object? 
2. When Ivan awakes from his dream, what does he hear?
3. When Ivan thinks back on his life, what does he think is the best part?
4. When Ivan passes into the bright light, what does he compare the experience to? 
5. When Ivan catches sight of the light, he realizes that his life has not been a good one. What else happens simultaneously?

Analysis Questions for Chapter 9 – 12

1. What does the black bag symbolize? What does Ivan’s struggle with the black bag represent? What does it mean when he breaks through the black bag?

2. Ivan seems to have an “existential” moment when he cries out “Why has thou done all this?” This could be an allusion. If so, to what is the reference?   Why is this an “existential” moment?  (You will have to look up the word “existentialism” in order to understand.)

3. Explain how time and space change from the beginning of the novel to the end of the novel. What does this symbolize?

4. In your opinion, why does Ivan’s belief that his life has been a good one prevent him from getting into the black bag?

5. What is your interpretation of the railway car analogy?

6. Did Ivan Ilyich live a proper life? Does Ivan Ilyich ever learn what it means to live a proper life? What is, in your opinion, Tolstoy’s message or theme?

Analytic Paper Assignment

World Literature 2403/26

Professor Kiefer

Spring 2014

Analytical Paper:

For this course you will be required to write one 5-7 page paper outside of class, of a minimum 1500 words in length. Minimum paper lengths are so extremely short that anyone desiring a high grade would be advised to write a somewhat longer one. Any paper shorter than the minimum assigned will receive an F as an incomplete assignment. Except for meeting the very low minimum number of pages, don't concentrate on length, but try to make your papers as detailed, well-organized, and interesting as possible. All papers must be completed on a format that can be opened on the computers at Kean. Microsoft Word is ideal since I will be grading, commenting and returning them to you electronically. These papers are not necessarily research papers, and it is possible to receive an A on a paper without doing research for them, although good papers, incorporating good library work, will normally receive higher grades.

You should choose a topic you are particularly interested in, not try to guess what I want you to write. When I can learn something new from a paper, I am pleased. By  Tuesday, April 1, you will send me a proposal briefly describing the thesis of your paper. If necessary I will give you advice on how to proceed. I am happy to answer questions about proposed topics. Papers are to be submitted to gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 17, Papers may always be handed in before the due date if you wish.

Prompt: Create a 5-7 page (1500-1800 words) term paper comparing and/or contrasting a common thematic element(s) in two of the pieces of literature we have read thus far: Antigone, The Odyssey, Macbeth, The Stranger and The Death of Ivan Ilyich. This essay requires a close reading and analysis of the texts. You may create your own topic or consider one of the following: loyalty, fidelity, vision vs. blindness, the use of disguise, pride and stubbornness, what it means to be a hero, etc. You are relatively free to choose your topic, as long as it analyzes thematic elements common in both pieces you choose. This essay should not be a summary of the material, but a critical analysis of the material.  Be original, but be sure that your claims are supported by evidence from the texts.

Assessment:

The following elements are taken into consideration when I grade your papers:

1) You must convince me that you have closely read and understood the texts.

2) You must have sent me your thesis to review by noon on Tuesday April 1.

3) You must respond to the prompt as given.

4) You must follow the Kean University Composition guidelines (attached on rubric)

5) I expect you to support your arguments with references to the text, often including quotations appropriately introduced and analyzed (but quote only to make points about the material quoted, not simply for its own sake).

6) Your paper must be sent electronically in the format described above to Gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 17.

Late Papers:

If you think you have a valid excuse (medical, etc.) for not getting a paper in on time, let me know in advance via e-mail at gotprofkiefer@gmail.com. Papers handed in late with no excuse will not receive a passing grade. To pass the course you must hand in this paper.

Analytic Paper Rubric

World Literature 2403/26-- Spring 2014
Professor Kiefer
Rubric Analytic Paper

Prompt: Create a five to seven page (1600-1800 words) term paper comparing and/or contrasting a common theme in a piece of literature we have read thus far. This essay requires a close reading and analysis of the texts. This essay should not be a summary of the material, but a critical analysis of the material. Be original, but be sure that your claims are supported by evidence from the texts.

Assessment:  ______points out of 30.  Final letter grade: _______
On a scale of 1-5
__________1) The writing indicates a close reading and understanding of the texts.
__________2) An effective thesis statement was submitted by Tuesday, April 1.
__________3) The writing responds to the prompt as given.
__________4) The writing followed the Kean University Composition Guidelines (attached)
__________5) The writing is thematically-based and is supported by arguments with references to the text,  including quotations appropriately introduced and analyzed.

__________6) The writing was sent electronically in the format described above to Gotprofkiefer@gmail.com by noon on Thursday April 17. Or an extension was requested with a valid reason, well in advance of the deadline.

Composition skills to be corrected are underlined and bolded below

Kean University English Composition Grading Policies
Writing assignments are evaluated according to
a) clarity of purpose;
b) appropriateness to audience;
c) clarity of focus;
d) quality of development;
e) effectiveness of organization;
f) degree of fluency;
g) stylistic skill demonstrated through word choice (diction) and sentence structure (syntax); and
h) correctness of mechanics (grammar, spelling, punctuation).

A Excellent fulfillment of the assignments requirements; original substantive content; effective organization and logical development; correct mechanics; clear effective diction and syntax; fluent use of language; correct documentation (when applicable).
B  Above average fulfillment of the assignments requirements; thorough and interesting content; good organization; correct mechanics; effective diction and syntax; fluent use of language; correct documentation (when applicable)
C Fulfills basic requirements of the assignment; some solid content; adequate organization; no major mechanical errors; no major documentation errors.
D Does not fulfill basic requirements of the assignment; vague content; ineffective organization; major mechanical errors; significant errors in documentation.
F Does not fulfill basic requirements of the assignment; little content; minimal form; major, serious repeated mechanical errors; violations of the Academic Integrity Policy.