Question

What theme is portrayed in this excerpt from Leo Tolstoy’s The Death of Ivan Ilyich? In reality it was just what is usually seen in the houses of people of moderate means who want to appear rich, and therefore succeed only in resembling others like themselves: there are damasks, dark wood, plants, rugs, and dull and polished bronzes—all the things people of a certain class have in order to resemble other people of that class. His house was so like the others that it would never have been noticed, but to him it all seemed to be quite exceptional. He was very happy when he met his family at the station and brought them to the newly furnished house all lit up, where a footman in a white tie opened the door into the hall decorated with plants, and when they went on into the drawing-room and the study uttering exclamations of delight. He conducted them everywhere, drank in their praises eagerly, and beamed with pleasure.
a. the effect of consumerism
b. the power of wealth
c. keeping up appearances in society
d. conforming to societal conventions

Answer 1

From this excerpt, we can see that the theme depicted is (C) keeping up appearances in society. There is an indirect nod to theme in the first line "In reality it was just what is usually seen in the houses of people of moderate means who want to appear rich..."

It seems every individual wants to show that they are more affluent than they actually are, and in doing so they all purchase the same décor etc.