By obvious statements through dialogue to more in depth references, many examples of irony could be found in "The Death of Ivan Illych." Beginning with his young adult years to the time of his death, Ivan Illych's life itself was ironic as he began to question more and more the true meaning of his existence. To a man whose entire early life was full of being on top and maintaining authority, the sudden twist of fate when struck with a fatal illness turned his life sour. .
The entirety of the life of Ivan Illych was based on responsibility to his official duties. "As soon as official relations ended, so did everything else." (pg. 746) When illness struck Ivan Illych and all who used to work under his authority abandoned his order, he struggled with finding a new position in life worth living for. Worst of all in his eyes, was the fact that those who he had worked with and shared a life with such as his wife, turned their backs on him. Early in the story it is obvious that everyone known by Ivan Illych didn't actually grieve over his death. "Peter Ivanovich sacrificed his usual nap." (pg. 732) Most of his acquaintances stressed more about "where they should play bridge that evening" (pg. 732) than they did the funeral. However, the reader is also informed that perhaps Ivan Illych wasn't deserving of grievance. "His face was above all more dignified than when he was alive." (pg. 733) .
"A return to normalcy," as stated by Warren G. Harding, was all but the main pursuit during Ivan Illych's latter day feelings of isolation from his marriage and social life in which his illness persisted. Initially, it became apparent to the reader that Ivan Illych realized responsibility to his official duties- not love, became the main focus in his selfish life. Only when the promise of money and attention came along did Ivan Illych temporarily acquire once again feelings of content and satisfaction with his marriage.
