# Simon Nefyórdof — The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories character guide

> Simon Nefyórdof in The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories by Leo Tolstoy.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Simon, Simon the Soldier

**First appearance:** 0039-what-men-live-by

## Who they are

A soldier who has sinned his way through life and now, in a moment of need, finds himself tested by a stranger's request.

## In the story

### [What Men Live By](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/what-men-live-by)

The poor shoemaker who finds the angel Michael freezing by a shrine. His act of compassion, giving his own coat, is the first demonstration of love that saves Michael.

### [The Story of Iván the Fool](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-story-of-iv-n-the-fool)

Prospered by creating a large army with advanced weapons, conquering a neighbor. His ambition leads him to attack the King of India, who defeats him with superior technology, causing Simon to lose his kingdom.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/characters/simon_nefyordof
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/characters