Question

Which lines in this excerpt from Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich together use symbolism to indicate that death is approaching?

Answer 1

The two lines in this excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” which together use symbolism to indicate that death is approaching are:

B) There was light and now there is darkness.

E) staring with wide-open eyes into the darkness.

Tolstoy gives his remark on the materialistic nature of people in the society. Throughout the novel, the characters are seen jumbled up in the web of materialism as it provides status and pleasure to them. At the end of the novella “The Death of Ivan IIyich,” written by Leo Tolstoy speaks about the materialist nature of the physical world. At the time of his death, Ivan says “ Death is finished, he said to himself. It is no more!” This line gives an insight into his perspective about life and death. It shows that Ivan continues to fight for his life and gives the plot an open ending. For Ivan death has caused an end of his life in this physical world but this has rewarded him a path towards spiritual world. His death not just gives an end to the story but also a beginning of a new life and story of Ivan.