Parallels between 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' and 'Severance': What they might reveal about Mark's future

A 139-year-old classic literature novella might have the answers to get a picture of Mark’s journey in Severance. In season 2, episode 7, what looks like a trivial moment—a book title being read out loud—could be a great clue foretelling where Mark’s story is heading.

Given the show’s complex storytelling, every single element possibly takes on a deeper meaning, and this noteworthy reference to Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich may be a clue of the true cost of Mark’s awakening.

Like Tolstoy’s central character, Mark deals with existential gloom, distressing himself through work and escaping. Nevertheless, as he is made to tackle the agonizing realities of his existence, he may come to an awareness parallel to Ivan Ilyich’s: that a life lacking of sincere human connection is no life at all.

Still, unlike Tolstoy’s character, Mark’s scruffle contains two distinctive kinds of himself—the innie and the outie—each with contradictory needs. If he is to find value and meaning, one of them may have to lose everything.

The Severance nod to the death of Ivan Ilyich and its implications

In Severance season 2, episode 7, Dr. Mauer nonchalantly picks up a book from Gemma’s shelf and glances at the title: The Death of Ivan Ilyich. While it may seem as just another filler scene, this classic literature reference is anything but accidental.

Tolstoy’s novella narrates the story of a man who lives his life hounding status, career achievements, and praise from society—only to understand, as he meets death, that he has created his life on insignificant and worthless disruptions. His grief and sorrow influence him into an excruciating self-reckoning, eventually going on to a moment of clarification before his death.

Mark’s journey in Severance reflects this arc in disturbing ways. His outie strived for a getaway from pain by experiencing the severance process, alienating himself from the hurt of losing Gemma.

In the meantime, his innie continues to live on only to attend to Lumon, habituated to be certain of that as his only objective. Both forms of Mark, in their ways, have been existing in denial. Yet, as the fractures in Lumon’s system expand, they both begin to question everything.

Just like Ivan Ilyich, Mark is being driven to introspect. His outie, once sinking in alcohol to deal with Gemma’s absence, is now fueled by the chance that she may still be living. His innie, no more wanting to be a lifeless worker buzz, has started to want independence.

Both are awakening to the truth that their lives have been commanded by influences that are way beyond their control. The question is: will they be capable of regaining their autonomy before it’s too late?

What this means for Mark’s fate in Severance

Ivan Ilyich’s story eventually ends in acceptance—he finds peace in the concluding moments of his life by accepting agony as an unavoidable part of life.

Mark’s journey, nevertheless, might take a more complex spin. While both of his personalities are seeking significance, their aims and ambitions stand in opposition.

Mark’s outie desires nothing more than to be united with Gemma. But for that to transpire, his innie’s scruffle for individuality must be bottled-up. Meanwhile, his innie seeks liberty from Lumon, but attaining that would mean cutting ties with his outie’s actuality — as well as the hopefulness of uniting with Gemma. This implies that, unlike Ivan Ilyich, Mark may not be able to attain an outcome without a noteworthy loss.

One of the main themes in The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy is that misery cannot be stayed away from—it is vital to fully live life. This openly tests Lumon’s philosophy, which is constructed on the idea that agony can and should be eradicated via severance. But as Severance has recurrently recommended, a life free of hurt is also a life free of love, connection, and meaning.

The real misfortune of Ivan Ilyich’s life was not his demise, but the awareness that he had never really lived. Mark, now at a junction, may soon face a related revelation. But contrasting to Tolstoy’s character, who had only one self to square with, Mark has two—and in the fight for self-sufficiency, one of them may have to be wiped away.

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If Severance goes through with the thematic route set by The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Mark’s time ahead will not be about evading misery but understanding how to embrace it. Whether that means rehabilitation, devastation, or something even more troubling remains to be seen.

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