The Themes of The Last Days of Socrates and The Death of Ivan Ilych Essay

The Themes of The Last Days of Socrates and The Death of Ivan Ilych - Essay Example Ivan knew very that he was going to die, and this forced him to re-evaluate his life in a painful manner. Ivan also asked questions and tried to hide whenever deaths, sicknesses and recoveries were mentioned in his presence and more so when the sickness resembled his own. Inevitability of death and immortality of human souls is also evident in ‘The Last Days of Socrates. In the novel, Socrates held a dialogue with Phaedo on the nature of the afterlife. Socrates offered supporting arguments on the reasons as to why soul is immortal. Socrates believed that the soul is made up of basic forms, which are eternal and unchanging and that there was a different between soul and body. He was however executed by poison hemlock an indication that death was inevitable since human bodies are mortal while human souls are immortal. Socrates says ‘...anyone who does not know, and cannot prove that the soul is immortal must be afraid, unless he is a fool’ (Plato 170). From the two s tories, it is quite evident that the acceptance of death, as well as the recognition of the unpredictable nature of life allows room for peace, joy and confidence at the moment of death. The two stories clearly show how the characters understood of the mortality of human bodies and the immortality of human souls. ... The authentic life usually cultivates mutual affirmation of human relationships, which usually break down isolation and give room for interpersonal contact. The artificial life is defined as the depreciation which usually hides the true meaning of life and leaves one terrified of death. The artificial life usually leaves people empty and alone while the authentic life fosters strength through comfort and solidarity through empathy and also creates a bond as it prepares people to meet their death. Gerasim is too confident and not afraid of death and is able to lessen the pain felt by Ivan by sharing with him. Gerasim provides spiritual support to Ivan an indication of authentic life. The virtue of authentic life is evident between Gerasim and Ivan a clear indication that authentic life is the right life. Right life is also evident in ‘The last days of Socrates’. Socrates brings in the theme of right life in the form of justice. In his dialogues, Socrates questions on the meaning of justice and whether the type of justice he went through were the right life. Socrates dialogues, which Euthypho, apology, Crito and Phaedo describes his trial as well as the execution. In his dialogue with Euthypho, Socrates finds it quite surprising on how someone would bring charges against his own father and finds it quite pious to bring charges against someone he loved. In ‘apology’ Socrates defends himself when cross examined by Meletus and said that he was to poor for him to be a sophist or a teacher of rhetoric as charged. He said it was unjust for him to be charged as his accusers were the ones who corrupted the youths and unjustly sentenced him using the laws. In his speech, Socrates said ‘...the jury has hadmany negative opinions from people about me long