Family Ties

The Death of Ivan Illyich, written by Leo Tolstoy, reminds me very much of my maternal grandfather. Grandpa English was a very successful otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat surgeon). Ever since he was young, he decided that he was going to be successful. While he was in college, Dr. English met a young woman named Carol Baker over a Bunsen burner. They got married and had three children together. Grandma always wanted to travel, but never had the opportunity to before she died a year and a half ago. Grandpa defines himself as a doctor. When he was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor six years ago, he was no longer allowed to practice medicine. He constantly complains about how the doctors who helped him were not empathetic to his problems. Grandpa is also always talking about how he will soon return to his practice, which is simply impossible. He has severe dementia, and is unable to walk around the house without falling at least once a day. Grandpa never considered himself a family man, and constantly defined himself as a doctor. This led to issues within his family. I see incredible comparisons between Ivan Illyich and my grandfather.

Ivan Illyich was also extremely self-centered. He simply thought that a family was important because of a social position. Ivan Illyich did not really have any love between he and his wife either. At the end of his life, no one really mourned his death other than his own son. I think that this is important because this novel shows the importance of family. It proves that if you are loved by those around you, you will be remembered for generations. If you do not work to make good memories with those around you, younger generations will not tell stories about you. I believe that it is human nature to want to make a legacy for oneself; this can be achieved by creating a family and being loved.

Another similarity between Ivan Illyich and my grandfather was how they discovered their illnesses: by accident. I think that this represents blindness in their lives. They are both so determined to further their career that they do not wish to see the truth in their lives. Jay Fielder was correct in saying during our discussion yesterday that it was ironic that Ivan Illyich was hanging drapes when he fell and discovered his illness because it is like he is closing out everyone around him.

Ivan Illyich and my grandfather share frighteningly similar characteristics. They both are too self-involved to realize what is going on around them. Both of them will not be long remembered because they do not take the time to share in the happiness’s with their families. (454)