The Theme of the Death of Ivan Ilych A work cited in "The Death of Ivan Ilych", Leo Tolstoy examines the life of a man, Ivan, who seems to have lived a exemplary life with moderate wealth, high position and family. By the end of the story, however, Ivan's life will prove passionless: a life of duty, responsibility, respect, work, and cold objectivity towards everything and everyone around Ivan. It is only when Ivan is on his deathbed, in his final moments, that he realizes what will become the main theme of the story: that the personal relationships we form are more important in life than who we are or what we own. the story is indirectly brought to light at the very beginning when Ivan's colleagues, and presumably his friends, learn of his death. The narrator states in paragraph 5: So, when he received the news of Ivan Ilyich's death, the first thought of each of the gentlemen in that private room was of the changes and promotions which this might bring about among themselves or among their acquaintances . This line reveals that among Ivan's peers, he was nothing more than an obstacle. It also reveals that these men regarded Ivan with the same respect and cold professional indifference with which he regarded them. It appears that Ivan's wife is simply displaying grief, when in reality she is more concerned with monetary matters. Of all the characters presented in this story, no one truly mourns the passing of Ivan Ilych. One of the things that Ivan seemed to be proud of during his lifetime was his professionalism in carrying out his work at the Court of Justice. The narrator details how Ivan was able to detach himself from the emotional turmoil surrounding a case "while simultaneously eliminating all considerations irrelevant to the legal aspect of the case" (para. 65). This portrays Ivan Ilych as a cunning, calculating and apathetic magistrate, whose only concern was for the process of justice and not for the people affected by his sentences. He is made to realize, too late, the dehumanizing effect his emotionless behavior has had on others when a doctor provides him with similar treatment. Ivan recognizes that "the doctor behaved towards him just as he himself behaved towards the accused" (para 115).