Ivan Gromov, in comparison with the doctor, views life in an ironic negative manner. The doctor, on the other hand, only wishes to understand the views of life, learning and taking things away from his time with Ivan. The conversations, specifically those on what it is to suffer, leave Gromov frustrated, as he cannot completely comprehend the slant that the Doctor takes with him. The Doctor, with Ivan's lack of understanding, continues the conversations in an attempt to not only brake through to the mad man, but to understand Ivan's philosophy on life.