Abstract
The short story "The Death of Ivan Ilyich" (1886), Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) provides key elements for a reflection on the meaning of long-term illness. Based on Tolstoy's short story the present paper analyzes the multiple dimensions of the process of illness. It starts with the argument that illness is not an a priori totality, but a trajectory of associations between the sick person, the doctor, family members, friends and caregivers. Acting, being affected, thinking and feeling all come together in the development of these associations. The analysis of the Ivan Ilyich's illness will consider the following points: (a) illness as otherness and incomprehensibility (growing unfamiliarity with one's body and the stages by which the body is gradually objectified); (b) illness as trajectories in an field of practices that involves the development of skills and the "education of attention"; (c) modes of health care as a set of techniques, objects and discourses that are put together or associated throughout trajectories concerned with the establishment of health. Long-term illness is therefore a mode of immersion of the sick person in networks of relations that come to be a part of her everyday life.
Highlights
The short story “The death of Ivan Ilyich” (1886)[1] by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), is well known to the reading public and widely praised by literary critics
Its reading raises questions regarding the meaning of life and death[2], law[3] and health care[4]
Our focus is to look at how illness is understood in the story. What does this literary work tell us about the process of becoming ill?
Summary
The short story “The death of Ivan Ilyich” (1886)[1] by Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), is well known to the reading public and widely praised by literary critics. For Vladimir Nabokov, for example, it is one of the most artistic and perfect literary works. In addition to being the object of innumerous literary analyses, the story has been scrutinized from diverse angles. Its reading raises questions regarding the meaning of life and death[2], law[3] and health care[4]. Our focus is to look at how illness is understood in the story. What does this literary work tell us about the process of becoming ill?
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
