Question

Which TWO parts of this excerpt from Leo Tolstoy's The Death of Ivan Ilyich reflect the author's opinion that the members of the rising middle class can never throw off their emotional masks?
1.) At certain moments after prolonged suffering he wished most of all (though he
would have been ashamed to confess it) for someone to pity him as a sick child
is pitied.

2.) He longed to be petted and comforted.

3.) He knew he was an important functionary, that he had a beard turning grey, and that therefore what he longed for was impossible,

4.) his colleague Shebek would come, and instead of weeping and being petted, Ivan Ilyich would assume a serious, severe, and profound air, and by force of habit would express his opinion on a decision of the Court of Cassation and would stubbornly insist on that view.

5.) Whether it was morning or evening, Friday or Sunday, made no difference, it was all just the same: the gnawing, unmitigated, agonizing pain, never ceasing for an instant, the consciousness of life inexorably waning but not yet extinguished, the approach of that ever dreaded and hateful Death which was the only reality,

Answer 1

Answer:

3.) He knew he was an important functionary, that he had a beard turning grey, and that therefore what he longed for was impossible,

4.) his colleague Shebek would come, and instead of weeping and being petted, Ivan Ilyich would assume a serious, severe, and profound air, and by force of habit would express his opinion on a decision of the Court of Cassation and would stubbornly insist on that view.

Explanation:

In these excerpts, we learn that Ivan Ilyich feels vulnerable and alone. He is also scared of his fate and the possibility of death. However, he is unable to find a way to be comforted.

In the first sentence, we learn that Ilyich feels unable to receive the comfort he wants because of his role in society. He is an important functionary with a white beard. This is his mask, and it makes it impossible for anyone to treat him in the way he desires. The second sentence tells us how Ilyich, despite his desire to be taken care of, would pretend to be strong in front of his friends.

Answer 2

1.)At certain moments after prolonged suffering he wished most of all (though he

would have been ashamed to confess it) for someone to pity him as a sick child

is pitied.

2.He longed to be petted and comforted.