In Plato’s Apology we are told the story of Socrates, who is accused of crimes he did not commit and sentenced to death. In the face of death, Socrates laments of themes like virtue, honesty, and divine purpose. In Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilych, we meet a much less romantic situation. Ivan life is described as ordinary and, because of this, terrible. His life has the appearance of success, yet his problems are common and his death is not easy. While these stories are of two distinct types, at least one theme remains shared: the link between suffering and authenticity is real.
Your assignment should answer this question: What is the relationship between suffering and authenticity?
