Praskovya Fyodorovna
Ivan’s wife, whose long resentment and practical anxiety shape her response to his illness.
To manage the household, preserve financial security, and endure Ivan’s illness without allowing it to destroy every part of family life.
The book
At a glance
- Ivan Ilyich’s wife
- Lisa and Vladimir
- Resentment, money, and caregiving
Who they are in the book
Spoiler-freePraskovya and Ivan begin with a socially appropriate marriage that deteriorates when domestic demands interfere with his comfort. By the time he becomes ill, both have practiced years of irritation and retreat.
The novella often presents her through Ivan’s anger, so her frustration can look purely selfish. Her practical concerns and fatigue are real even when she cannot give him the honest emotional attention he wants.
How Praskovya Fyodorovna Is Portrayed
- Well-dressed middle-aged womanHer clothing reflects a judge’s respectable household.
- Controlled expressionShe maintains social form.
- Fatigue and irritationYears of conflict remain visible.
- No caricaturePractical anxiety does not make her a monster.
- Close engraved bustNo funeral or sickroom scenery appears.
- Muted russet accentWarm restraint suits the household world.
Praskovya remains with Ivan through his final illness and death. Ivan’s last change includes compassion for the suffering he believes he has caused her.
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