Tolstoy-Bridge in the Death of Ivan Ilyich

                                         
A bridge is a structure built which connects two separated sides. It is also a name of Ivan Ilyich's favorite card game in the story.

Throughout the book, Ivan's favorite thing is not being with his family or friends. Instead, he spent his whole life climbing social ladders and strengthening his social relationship. Therefore, his entire life seems meaningless and tragic. However, when he plays the bridge game, he really has fun, and that is the only time for him to escape the boring and materialistic work. Thus, on one hand, the bridge is the connection between his two different ways of life.

On the other hand, the bridge is the transition between life and death. On the last moment of his life, he still remembers this card game, and the this game is the only interest he has. As well, he is gradually getting a true understanding of life as he is passing away. Therefore, He realizes the true essence of life as he is crossing a bridge of life and death.

The Death of Ivan Illyich

The tittle implies what happens to Ivan Illyich at the end of the story, therefore his death is not a big surprise to me for a novel in such a gloomy tone. 

Ivan Illyich, is the protagonist of the novel. He is a nondescript, unexceptional man. He admires those with high social standing, and conforms his values and behavior to their rules. Therefore, according to his thought, the most interesting thing to him is not enjoying the time with his family, instead, getting a higher social position. So before his death, although he is definitely a winner who has a strong ability of formalizing human relationship, he is totally a loser in the family aspect. Meanwhile, the relationship between his wife is capricious. It is totally depending on the position and wage Ivan has in the government. With the higher position and wage, their relationship becomes pacific. However, when Ivan just goes a little bit down, he will be extremely mad and angry on his families. 

Additionally, Ivan is fear of death. When his families and doctor tells him that there is no way to treat his disease, his mood gets worse and worse. It is so easy for him to be annoyed, and his life is totally ruined.

Ivan does not get the essence of a life until the last moment of his life. At the time he truly faces the death, he just notices that he has nothing happy to think of and how meaningless his previous life is. He becomes so remorseful because he actually could do much more. He could be a loving husband; he could be a amiable father; he could have more fun and less anger in his life. But it is too late.

He dies, in pain and regret.

Overcoat Short Story Part III

What a wonderful life John has. He went to the bar with his friends every day, and the dinners are usually on him. All his friends respect him so much. He is not the poor John any more, he is a rich and generous man. 

"Fantastic night again, right?" John was drunk, said to his friends loudly.

"Of course. Thank you John, you are the best friends we have, you bring the happiness to us. No matter what happens, we will be always on your side." He so-called friends responded flatteringly.

"Oh, nice." He laughed," Hey how much totally? Here is the card." John showed his golden card as usual, looked at and asked the waiter scornfully. Yes, he is a rich man, being arrogant is the way he should act.

"Your card is invalid, sorry, sir, do you have other method to pay?" the waiter asked politely, he knew John is a rich man. Being polite and respectful to these guests is the way he should act.

"What? Say it again?" He could not believe it, "Try it again."

"It is invalid, I am pretty sure, sir." The waiter continued to act as politely as before. "Sir, do you have cash?"

Maybe the true owner of the card froze the card, maybe he spent all the money. No one knew. But what we knew was that all his so-called inseparable friends left him and  he used his nice clothes, expensive watch and the sliver ring replaced the cost on that night. Less and less people visited him, John become the poor John again.

(The End, Part 3)

Overcoat Short Story Part II

It was a cold winter day, the poor John could only wear a old and working suit against the freezing weather. That is his dream to have a warm and nice fur overcoat, but the cruel reality, poverty, totally ruined his dream. He squat down, sitting on the side of the busy road, looking at the colorful cars, feeling like the city prosperity had nothing to do with him. He moved his hands to the pants pocket to get a little bit warmth. Suddenly, he seemed to recall something. "Yes, the golden bank card, why wouldn't I try that? There is must be tons of money there!" He stand up, trying to find a clothes store, leaving all the hope on that shining card.

"I want overcoat, size 44," he stand by a clothes hanger, staring at these nice overcoats, and did not know which one choose to buy."How much is that," he can't move his eyes from a rabbit fur coat, that is the nicest coat he has ever seen. 

"Oh, this one?" the waiter looked at him up and down. All he could see was a pair of broken boots, old working pants, and a out fashioned coat with some construction materials on that. "I do not think you can afford, this is the best clothing store in the city, only the VIPs come," the waiter said impatiently, looking at John disdainfully.

"I got a card, may I try it?" John showed his shiny golden bank card, and said confidently.

"Let me see," the waiter was just going to serve other guests, but he turned around and said curiously. "How could he have that?" The waiter was shocked after he saw that, and spoke softly to himself.

"Oh, yes you can, I don't know you are the bank's Golden VIP. Sorry, I thought...Just try the clothes on, I think it fits you very well. Look at the wonderful color and design. I can't believe, it is just made for you. It matches your handsome appearance." The waiter's face changed so quickly, and became so respectful to John.

"wow, that is such a useful card!" John took the overcoat and paid as he thought.

"See you next time" the waiter bowed to John as John left the store.

John bought all the things he wanted with the card. His social position rocketed up just in the following several day. Many his friends' friends came to visit and flatter at him after they knew John was such a rich people. John's life changed tremendously, just with the accident gain, the shiny golden bank card

(Closing Part 2)

Overcoat Short Story Part I

"Wow, what is that?" John, a tall, tan man in a sweaty uniform and work boots, screamed when he saw something shiny under the sun light. He walked there curiously, bent his back, and picked up the little flashing thing. "Oh my goodness," he was so surprised that his mouth even became a big "O." "That is a golden debit card, whose is this?" John whispered to himself while he still not believe what he saw was true. John looked around sneakingly, checking out if someone else saw this gorgeous free gift. "No one is around me," John said softly and a undetected smile appeared on his face. as he carefully putting the card into his old working pants pocket, with a secret plan starting in his brain.

John is a construction worker, who works until late at night to get a meager salary. The poor birth makes him grow up in a inferior family. He has no wife and child, since he can not even support himself well. He is just a marginalized poor man, wandering the unnoticed corners in the industrial city. His friends probably are similar to him, drinking and smoking are the most interesting things for them to do.

It was a common day, but John's life gradually changed with this small shiny golden band card...

(Closing, Part 1)