Question

Which excerpt from The Death of Ivan Ilych can be used as textual evidence to support a thesis statement on the theme of loneliness? There was no deceiving himself: something terrible, new, and more important than anything before in his life, was taking place within him of which he alone was aware. Those about him did not understand or would not understand it, but thought everything in the world was going on as usual.That tormented Ivan Ilych more than anything. At the law courts too, Ivan Ilych noticed, or thought he noticed, a strange attitude towards himself. It sometimes seemed to him that people were watching him inquisitively as a man whose place might soon be vacant. Then again, his friends would suddenly begin to chaff him in a friendly way about his low spirits, as if the awful, horrible, and unheard-of thing that was going on within him, incessantly gnawing at him and irresistibly drawing him away, was a very agreeable subject for jests. Ivan Ilych settled down very pleasantly in this new town. The society there, which inclined towards opposition to the governor was friendly, his salary was larger, and he began to play *vint* [a form of bridge], which he found added not a little to the pleasure of life, for he had a capacity for cards, played good-humouredly, and calculated rapidly and astutely, so that he usually won. Ivan Ilych was esteemed a good official, and after three years was made Assistant Public Prosecutor. His new duties, their importance, the possibility of indicting and imprisoning anyone he chose, the publicity his speeches received, and the success he had in all these things, made his work still more attractive.

Answer 1

This excerpt called "Death of Ivan Ilych" can be used as textual evidence to support a thesis statement on the theme of loneliness: "There was no deceiving himself; something terrible, new, and more important than anything else in his life, was taking place in him, in which he was alone and aware".

Answer 2

Answer: The right answer is "There was no deceiving himself: something terrible, new, and more important than anything before in his life, was taking place within him of which he alone was aware. Those about him did not understand or would not understand it, but thought everything in the world was going on as usual. That tormented Ivan Ilych more than anything."

Explanation: Just to elaborate a little on the answer, it can be added that the other three excerpts (from "At the law courts" to "for jests," from "Ivan Ilych settled down" to "he usually won," and from "Ivan Ilych was esteemed" to "more attractive") do not revolve specifically around the theme of loneliness. This is particularly true of the last two excerpts, which describe his pleasant life in the new town and his attractive duties as Assistant Public Prosecutor. The second excerpt does mention that people looked at him strangely, as if they knew that his life was about to end, and that his friends made jokes about his mood, but the first excerpt provides a stronger evidence of his loneliness. What really tormented him was the fact that only he was aware of his inner condition, and those around him, particularly his wife and daughter, ignored his anguish.