What are we apparently supposed to admire in the character and ...

[shenderson6]

What are we apparently supposed to admire in the character and conductof the servant Gerasim?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

What caused Ivans illness? How would it probably be diagnosed today?What is the narrators attitude toward Ivans doctors?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[kishoreddi]

Answer to Question 1

• From our first meeting with him, Gerasim radiates generosity, warm sympathy, and cheerful acceptance of Gods will. All men shall come to death, even Ivan Ilych, he affirms (par. 50). Gerasim is the good peasant, faithful and devoted, willing to sit all night holding his masters legs (par. 285).

Answer to Question 2

The illness might be diagnosed as cancer of the abdomen complicated by falling off a ladder while hanging curtains. (The fall is casually described in paragraph 99.) Tolstoy detested physicians and implies (in paragraphs 115120, 128, 152153) that Ivans doctors are knownothings. In paragraph 247, Ivan submits to an examination that he sees as nonsense and empty deception, like the speeches of certain lawyers to whom he had listened as a judge. The celebrated doctor (par. 258259) seems a quack.