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

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

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the Devil, Devil

**First appearance:** 0050-the-imp-and-the-crust

## Who they are

A personification of evil who tempts characters in parables like 'The Imp and the Crust'.

## In the story

### [Two Hussars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/two-hussars)

Mentioned in the Count's exclamation ('devil take them') about the lack of rooms, reflecting his frustrated mood.

### [A Spark Neglected Burns the House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/a-spark-neglected-burns-the-house)

Referenced metaphorically as the 'fiend' that carries Iván off to lawsuits, representing the destructive pride and malice driving the conflict.

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

Disguises himself as a general to ruin Simon with endless war, then as a merchant to ruin Tarás with greed. Finally, as a fine gentleman, he tries to introduce money to Iván's kingdom but fails utterly.

### [Evil Allures, but Good Endures](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/evil-allures-but-good-endures)

The instigator of the conflict, vexed by the slaves' praise of their master, who tempts Aleb and watches from a tree, only to be defeated when the master shows forgiveness.

### [The Imp and the Crust](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-imp-and-the-crust)

The imp's master who chastises him for initial failure and later praises his successful scheme to corrupt the peasant through the pleasure of drink derived from surplus.

### [How Much Land Does a Man Need?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/how-much-land-does-a-man-need)

Overhears Pahóm's boast and resolves to tempt him with land to gain power over his soul, setting the tragic plot in motion.

### [The Empty Drum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-empty-drum)

Likely referenced allegorically as the source of the King's corrupt desires and the manipulative servants, driving the conflict against the virtuous couple.

### [The Overthrow of Hell and Its Restoration](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leo_tolstoy_short_fiction_se/chapters/the-overthrow-of-hell-and-its-restoration)

Appears as Beelzebub, the father and ruler of all devils, who is initially defeated and bound by Jesus's sacrifice and final words of forgiveness, but later freed when Hell is restored through the corruption of his teaching.

## Links

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