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

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

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-sevastopol

## Who they are

A high-ranking officer in the military sketches.

## In the story

### [The Raid](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-raid)

Commands the raid. He observes the action with aesthetic detachment, making remarks in French and appearing unmoved by the violence.

### [Sevastopol](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/sevastopol)

Mentioned in the context of the chaotic retreat, a figure of authority trying to restrain the impetuous soldiers as the army abandons Sevastopol.

### [The Repentant Sinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-repentant-sinner)

Represented allegorically by King David, the second gatekeeper who initially refuses the sinner based on his record of sin.

### [Too Dear!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/too-dear)

Asked to find a soldier to perform the execution cheaply, but reports that none of his men are willing or trained for the task.

### [The Posthumous Papers of the Hermit, Fedor Kusmich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-posthumous-papers-of-the-hermit-fedor-kusmich)

Likely Count Alexei Orlov ('le Balafré'), seen in a childhood memory with the Empress.

### [God’s Way and Man’s](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/god-s-way-and-man-s)

A German General-Governor who, despite a moment of hesitation, signs Svetlogoúb's death warrant out of loyalty to the Tsar and duty.

### [Traveller and Peasant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/traveller-and-peasant)

Referenced indirectly as part of the 'authorities' who hold power.

## Links

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