The Death of Ivan Ilyich by Leo Tolstoy. Short summary

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Prosecutor Ivan Ilyich bruised his side, and from this developed a fatal illness. On his deathbed, he rethought his entire life. He understood the lies of those around him. Only Gerasim, the old servant, remains faithful to him.

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The coworkers gathered at Ivan Ilyich Golovin’s funeral. Everyone is wondering who will take his place, and his widow is right there in the cemetery trying to solve the money issue with the head of the judge’s chamber.

Life of Ivan Ilyich was the most ordinary. The middle son of a Privy Councillor. Ivan Ilyich had a pleasant disposition, and wanted those around him to consider him a positive person. He was an honest servant and an exemplary family man.

He had five children, of whom a 16 year old daughter and a gymnasium boy survived. Ivan Ilyich’s wife, Praskovya Fyodorovna, was constantly quarreling, to which he tried not to react.

His career growth brought the judge to St. Petersburg, where he was given a 5,000 salary. Inspecting his new apartment, Ivan Ilyich accidentally fell from the ladder and hit his back on the edge of the window. The bruise went away, but in time developed a serious illness.

On his deathbed, the official reconsidered his attitude toward death and life. He did not want to see his wife. Only the peasant Gerasim cared for him sincerely. Ivan Ilyich died in agony.