Question

What is the correct order of events in Ivan Ilyich’s life as depicted in chapters 5–8 of Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich?

Ivan Ilyich tries to read a Zola novel while convincing himself that he is healing, but his pain returns worse than ever.
Ivan Ilyich tries to distract himself from his death by resuming his professional duties as a judge but fails.
Ivan Ilyich visits a specialist who tells him that his vermiform appendix is the problem.
Ivan Ilyich tries to use the logic of Caius the mortal to try to make sense of dying but fails.
Ivan Ilyich watches his family leave to go to the theater and finally gains some peace.

Answer 1

I believe the correct order is: 1, 3, 4, 2 and 5.

 

In Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”, chapters 5–8, correct order of events is:

At first, Ivan Ilyich tries to read a Zola novel while convincing himself that he is healing, but his pain returns worse than ever. 

Than Ivan Ilyich visits a specialist who tells him that his vermiform appendix is the problem. 

After that, Ivan Ilyich tries to use the logic of Caius the mortal to try to make sense of dying but fails. 

Ivan Ilyich tries to distract himself from his death by resuming his professional duties as a judge but fails. 

At the end, Ivan Ilyich watches his family leave to go to the theater and finally gains some peace.