Ivan Ilyich has done nothing that would help him be termed as a noble. He is just a common man, but nevertheless, he does assume tremendous importance as an interesting literary figure on account of the experience he undergoes due to his sufferings prior to his death. His death in many ways is very similar to conditions that common human beings suffer in life, but he elates his character above that of the common men by having realized the uselessness of the life he lived before his death. This realization makes him rise above the common man. This is because common ...