THE DEATH OF IVAN ILYCH is the story of Ivan Ilyich Golovin, a social-climbing judge in St. Petersburg. Driven by his ambitious wife, Ilych seeks advancement at work and up the social ladder. This lifestyle comes crashing down when Ilych is injured at home; his injuries steadily worsen and it soon becomes clear that he is dying. During his long and painful process of dying, he dwells on the nature of life, the meaning of his existence, and the lives of his wife and children.