The Bookening

The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy

Dec 4, 2023
Explore Tolstoy's life and the poignant themes of mortality in a discussion about The Death of Ivan Ilyich. The hosts delve into Tolstoy's early years, his spiritual crisis, and how these experiences shaped his writings. They reflect on the novella's emotional depth and its critique of societal hypocrisy. The portrayal of medical care and the inner conflict of Ivan Ilyich offers a thought-provoking examination of life and death. You'll appreciate Tolstoy's sharp observations and plain language, resonating through the ages.
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INSIGHT

Tolstoy Between Flowering Culture And Stagnation

  • Tolstoy lived between a flowering of Russian culture and a stagnant feudal state, which shaped his perspective.
  • That historical tension informs his novels' focus on social change and moral crisis.
ANECDOTE

Tolstoy's Wild Youth And Self-Discipline

  • Tolstoy's life included heavy drinking, gambling, and youthful excess before literary success.
  • He later became intensely self-reflective, keeping diaries and drafting personal rules for conduct.
INSIGHT

Tolstoy's Spiritual Turn After His Novels

  • After Anna Karenina Tolstoy entered an existential crisis that turned him toward a personal version of Christianity.
  • He rejected institutional doctrine and emphasized the Sermon on the Mount and nonresistance.
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