Chapter 1 Summary

Peter Ivanovich, a lifelong acquaintance of Ivan Ilych, sits reading the paper in the judges' chambers while the other members of the Court of Justice argue over whether a case is within their jurisdiction. Peter interrupts them with the announcement that Ivan has died of the unnamed illness that has consumed him over the last several months.

Everyone in the room is surprised. They all liked Ivan, but each man starts thinking of who will fill his post and what promotion this might mean for himself. All are disturbed briefly by the nearness of death, but each is comforted by the thought that it is Ivan who is dead and not he. Several realize they will have to fulfill the tiresome duty of attending the funeral at one o'clock on Friday.

On Friday, Peter arrives at the home of Ivan Ilych to pay...