The Death of a Government Clerk Lesson Plan

Discuss the significance of opening the story at the opera.

Opening the story at the opera establishes the story's class concerns and adds depth to the interactions that Ivan has with the General. At first, when Ivan sneezes, he is completely unbothered, but once he sees the General, he becomes suddenly very concerned. He has forgotten where he is--the opera, a place where the rich and important go--and why he went there--to associate himself with those who are rich and important. He is new to this, and so doesn't initially realize that sneezing is a problem in this place, and even justifies it by saying that everyone, peasant or general, sneezes. But he isn't around...