Theme Of Materialism In The Death Of Ivan Llych

In the story The Death of Ivan Llych, the interesting pattern of materialism rises. Ivan questions how he had lived his life in the past, doubting whether his decisions swayed him to take the right route in life or not. Reflecting on his social expectations near death Ivan finds no comfort, realizing that he focused on the wrong aspects of life. At the announcement of Ivan’s death his loved ones focus first on money and work, as Ivan was a well-liked colleague they realized that his death may change and affect them in a negative way. This is significant to the rest of the story, potentially showing that Ivan lived a very materialistic life. Around the age of thirteen, Ivan entered the school of law. Starting his career early due to his father

Due to his lifestyle as a young man, Ivan did not know how to enjoy his marriage properly. He taught his wife to live a materialistic lifestyle as well, which continued after his death. “When she had done so he said, “Believe me...” and she again began talking and brought out what was evidently her chief concern with him — namely, to question him as to how she could obtain a grant of money from the government on the occasion of her husband’s death. She made it appear that she was asking Peter Ivanovich’s ad- vice about her pension, but he soon saw that she already knew about that to the minutest detail, more even than he did himself. She knew how much could be got out of the government in consequence of” (Tolstoy 9). His actions wore off onto his wife, who was mainly concerned about money, not on the grief of her husband's death. On Ivans death bed, he began to experience doubt about his life. This stems from the recollection he has of the decisions he has made, offering him no confort. Perhaps Ivan would have been happier if he learned how to love. His wife loved him and wanted more for Ivan than what he was obtaining. Ivan pushed his wife away focusing too much on social expectations, teaching his wife to be just like