What theme is portrayed in this excerpt from Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich? In reality it was just what is usually seen in the houses of people of moderate means who want to appear rich, and therefore succeed only in resembling others like themselves: there are damasks, dark wood, plants, rugs, and dull and polished bronzes—all the things people of a certain class have in order to resemble other people of that class. His house was so like the others that it would never have been noticed, but to him it all seemed to be quite exceptional. He was very happy when he met his family at the station and brought them to the newly furnished house all lit up, where a footman in a white tie opened the door into the hall decorated with plants, and when they went on into the drawing-room and the study uttering exclamations of delight. He conducted them everywhere, drank in their praises eagerly, and beamed with pleasure. A. the effect of consumerism B. the power of wealth C. keeping up appearances in society D. conforming to societal conventions
Answers
The theme which is portrayed in the above excerpt from Leo Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” is:
keeping up appearances in society.
The correct option is C.
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.