The Death of Ivan Ilych The short story, “The Death of Ivan Ilych,” written by Leo Tolstoy, takes the reader through the life, the suffering, and the death of a man and the reactions of those around him. In the opening of the story, Tolstoy demonstrates the theme surrounding the characters. All of the characters in this story lead selfish lives. There is no regard for the feelings or sufferings of others. The story is …showed first 75 words of 1098 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1098 total…Ivan’s death is announced to his colleagues. “The first thought of each of the gentlemen in that private room was the changes and promotions it might occasion among themselves or their acquaintances (38).” The story exemplifies how the society, which gave Ivan Ilych his values, the values to cherish the importance of promotions and not the importance leading a fulfilling life, can be devastating. This allows us to draw a parallel for our own lives.