The Metamorphosis And The Death Of Ivan Ilyich Analysis

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In The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka and The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy both have main characters, Gregor Samsa and Ivan Ilyich, who are suffering through unfortunate circumstances that ultimately lead to their deaths. Before their deaths, both Gregor and Ivan were living stable, successful lives; both content with settling and choosing to be happy with what and who they have in their lives. Although these stories have different storylines that range from extremely fictional to a more realistic story, they are quite similar with a plot that revolves around one man’s journey to his death. Gregor Samsa is the main character of The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka. He is a traveling salesman that is living a very basic normal human life …show more content…

Ivan is just as alone as Gregor in the days leading up to his death. His family chooses to ignore the fact that there is something wrong with him causing him to contemplate life since he is bedridden. Also in the days of Ivan’s death, he reminisces on his life as a good person. He questions everything he has done in life and is confused as to why he was chosen to fall deathly ill. “Why hast Thou done all of this? Why hast Thou brought me here? Why, dost Thou torment me so terribly? (1363)” Ivan is questioning Gods plan and decisions because he is angry. “Go on, strike me! But what is it for? What have I done to Thee? What is it for? (1363)” After asking these questions a voice begins to answer Ivan, although he is unsure if the voice is something he has created in his mind, or if it is an actual voice, perhaps from God. The voice makes him question if he lived his life to the best of his potential. This in turn makes him question every decision he has ever made. Had he truly lived his best life? Was he happy with how things happened or did he waste his time? He became an irritable man pondering these questions and it was not till a “force struck him (1367)” that he came to the conclusion that he had not done all the right things but how do you know what is right? In his final moments, Ivan finally found his answers to his questions. He realized that the right thing to do was to accept and welcome death so his family can finally be free of his burden. Ivan died and was greeted not by death but by light- he had found his

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