In The Death of Ivan Ilyich, Tolstoy explores the mind of a man struggling with the reality of his impending death. Ivan Ilyich must come to terms not only with his death but also with the emptiness of his past life. How well has Ivan's life thus far prepared him to face death? Cite evidence from the text to support your analysis.

Throughout the novella, Ivan Ilyich consistently represents the superficial middle-class Russians that Tolstoy is criticizing. Ivan Ilyich tries to distract himself from thinking about his death by immersing himself in work. Even as illness takes hold of his body, he continues to go to work until near the very end of his life. In earlier chapters, it becomes clear that Ivan Ilyich does not enjoy being with his family and works to avoid spending time with them. Further into the novella, despite the nearing reality of his death, Ivan continues to show that he values his possessions more than his family.

Ivan Ilyich’s shallow attitude toward life does not prepare him to deal well with the prospect of dying. His impending death throws him into a state of confusion. As his thoughts swing between hope and despair, he uses his sophisticated mind to twist logic and deny the inevitability of his death.