"The Death of Ivan Illych" begins with Ivan's colleagues learning of his death by newspaper, and the reader comes to find out Ivan had very few friends. Only two friends, Peter and Schwartz attend Ivan's wake, and both do so more out of courtesy than in remembrance of Ivan. After this interesting start, the narrator begins to detail the life of Ivan. The reader comes to learn that Ivan led a "seemingly happy life," one in which he worked hard for his middle- class life. Ivan had forged himself a new man after law school, and upon marrying was quite content until his wife, Praskovya became pregnant. The unpleasantness of life at home forced Ivan deeper into his work and sought to free himself through bridge which he himself noted was one of