Tolstoy's Ivan Ilyich

The life of Ivan Ilyich, we are told, “had been most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible” (Tolstoy, Ch. 2). In analyzing this description of Ivan’s life, we see that Ivan has always done what is expected of him in the eyes of others (wife, co-workers, employers, etc.). While Ivan believes his life has run easily, pleasantly, and decorously like it should, we see that in reality it is an unfulfilled life. Ivan’s closest associates are more worried about who will be next in line for promotion now that he is gone, and at his funeral they are more concerned over a bridge game than grieving for the loss of a friend, “The more intimate of Ivan Ilyich’s acquaintances, his so-called friends, could not help thinking also that they would now have to fulfill the very tiresome demands of propriety by attending the funeral service and paying a visit of condolence to the widow” (Tolstoy Ch. 1).

Ivan’s wife is also self-centered and exhibits great disdain for her husband, who she considers more of a nuisance and hassle

. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Tolstoy Ch, Ivan Tolstoy, Ivan Ilyich, Ivan Ilyichs, Golovin Ivans, Despite Ilyich, According Ivans, tolstoy ch, ivan ilyich, Ilyich Available, simple ordinary, life ivan, meaning life, death ivan, death ivan ilyich, Death Ivan, Tolstoy Death, tolstoy ch 2, ivans days, ivan recognizes, death death, black sack, highly placed people, meaning life doing, fear death death,
Approximate Word count = 1129
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page)