". . . but from his earliest youth he had been drawn to people of high standing in society as a moth is to light; he adopted their manners and their views on life and had established friendly relations with them" (50).

"Ivan Ilyich married for both reasons; in acquiring such a wife he did something that gave him pleasure and, at the same time, did what people of the highest standing considered correct" (56).

Ivan Ilyich had gotten promoted to a higher paying job, allowing him to be able to buy a new apartment and decorate it to his liking; which is to create an illusion of luxury and riches. Being so effectuated with this idea, Ivan does all the decoration himself. However, during the process, he injures himself, leading him to the start of his death. (66)