Character Analysis
Ivan Egorovich Shebek – usually just called "Shebek" – is yet another friend and colleague of Ivan's at the Court of Justice. It's in his office that Peter Ivanovich and Fedor Vasilievich meet at the very start of Ivan Ilych. Like them, he gives us some initial information about Ivan, and like them he also seems to value promotions more than friends. Though apparently Shebek does occasionally visit Ivan while he's sick. That would seem like a nice thing to do, but all he and Ivan end up doing is talking about legal cases, which upsets Ivan. Ivan thinks of Shebek as a fine representative of all that was false in his work world.