How does the character of gerasim the protagonist to attain spiritual freedom in tolstoy’s the death of ivan ilyich? . a. gerasim ivan ilyich by caring for him in his last days, regardless of the challenge.. b. gerasim treats ivan like his father and performs the duties of a son.. c. ivan ilyich realizes that he has lived an artificial life by comparing his life with gerasim’s.. d. ivan ilyich feels inferior to gerasim because gerasim leads a healthy life.