Reading Notes Leo Tolstoy Week 11 Part A

I've read this story once before, a long time ago, in another English class. I find Ivan's character to be interesting because throughout the story, I get this feeling that he thinks he's better than everyone, especially his wife and kids. It isn't until the end that we get even the slightest bit of emotion from him. I thought it was sad that he felt pity for his wife and daughter. And also makes me feel that he was embarrassed of them. The relationship between Ivan and Gerasim was also interesting and would be a good topic to possibly expand on for a project. I felt at times that Gerasim was more compassionate and sympathetic towards Ivan and his sickness than anyone else. Was Gerasim sad when Ivan died? Did he genuinely like Ivan, and care about him as a person? Ivan's wife, Praskovya, seemed very conceited and self-absorbed, and definitely all about her. She didn't come off as saddened as I would have thought a wife would be about her ill husband.