The Death of Ivan Ilych

The story follows Ivan Ilyich Golovin, a high court judge in St. Petersburg, who is consumed by social ambition and the pursuit of status. As he ascends the ranks, his personal life deteriorates, marked by a demanding marriage and increasing hypocrisy. The narrative explores themes of existentialism and the emptiness of a life spent chasing societal approval, ultimately revealing the stark contrast between appearance and reality in Ivan's life.