Societies Creations Leo Tolstoi the author of the short story "The Death of Ivan Ilych" was born into wealthy family in Russia. Tolstoi became tired of going to school and bettering himself so he dropped out of Kazan University. Despite societies pressures he opened up a school for lower class children. Leo Tolstoi became very successful in his profession as a novelist but was for some reason unhappy with his life. He then gave away …showed first 75 words of 1098 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1098 total…He retreats from his family, wanting only Gerasim for comfort. He cannot deny the pain of his sickness or his failed life any longer. He finds enlightenment right before his death. He comes to the conclusion that his death is meaningless and worth nothing since his life was meaningless and worth nothing. "The Death of Ivan Ilych" is about how people get so caught up in trying to live the way society tells them too.