Character Analysis
Fedor Vasilievich is a colleague of Ivan's at the Court of Justice and, along with Peter Ivanovich, he is Ivan's "nearest acquaintance" (1.19). This apparently isn't saying much for poor Ivan's choice of friends. When he hears of Ivan's death, Fedor Vasilievich's thoughts go straight to the promotion he'll probably get (at least Peter Ivanovich thinks about someone else's promotion, not his own).
Unlike Peter Ivanovich, Fedor Vasilievich doesn't even make it to Ivan's service. Instead he stays home to host the bridge game for the evening.