* Focus on everyday life: The novel centers around the mundane, ordinary life of Ivan Ilyich, a middle-class judge, and his slow decline after a seemingly minor injury. It doesn't focus on grand historical events or extraordinary characters.
* Detailed descriptions: Tolstoy provides vivid descriptions of Ivan Ilyich's home, his work, and his interactions with others. He paints a picture of everyday life that is both familiar and relatable.
* Psychological realism: The novel delves into the complexities of Ivan Ilyich's inner world. It explores his thoughts, feelings, and motivations, including his fear of death, his regrets, and his search for meaning.
* Social commentary: While not overtly political, *The Death of Ivan Ilyich* subtly critiques the superficiality and emptiness of Ivan Ilyich's social world, highlighting the importance of authenticity and genuine human connection.
* Rejection of romanticism: The novel eschews the idealized portrayal of life and love that was typical of romanticism. Instead, it presents a stark and unflinching look at the realities of human existence and mortality.
Here are some specific examples from the novel that illustrate these points:
* "He used to be a good-natured, sociable man, but now he had become irritable and could not bear his wife's presence." (This illustrates the psychological realism of the novel, showing how Ivan Ilyich's physical pain affects his emotional state and relationships.)
* "The room was large and comfortable, but to him now it seemed dull and oppressive." (This description highlights the novel's focus on everyday details and how they can be affected by a person's perspective.)
* "He realized that he had spent his whole life in a kind of dream, unaware of the true meaning of existence." (This statement exemplifies the novel's exploration of the search for meaning in life and the challenges of facing mortality.)
By exploring the ordinary life and psychological struggles of a seemingly ordinary man, *The Death of Ivan Ilyich* exemplifies the key features of 19th-century realism and remains a powerful and relevant work to this day.