THE TEST OF DEATH IN THE NOVEL BY L.N. TOLSTOY “THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYICH” AND THE STORY BY V.M. GARSHIN “NIGHT”

Abstract

In the article, through a comparative analysis the novel by L.N. Tolstoy “Th e Death of Ivan Ilyich” and the story of V.M. Garshin “Night”, in which the heroes are tested by death, similarities and differences are founded in the main concept of the works, images of the central characters are revealed. It turns out that both Tolstoy and Garshin focus on the problem of the illusory existence of modern man, busy achieving false goals, selfish and lonely. Death becomes a test of life for authenticity, in a situation where death is close, the heroes realize that everything in their life was “not right”, and the true meaning of earthly existence is to forget one’s “I” for the sake of others, to enter into a common life. The meaninglessness of the existence of an adult is opposed to the time of childhood, filled with purity, sincerity, real joy. Along with the motive of death, the motive of lies and the motive of insight are key in the works. The authors turn to symbolic images. For example, a narrow black bag in Tolstoy’s story, frost, a winter garden in Garshin’s story symbolize death, the personification of insight is the light that the characters see before death.