What theme is portrayed in this excerpt from leo tolstoy’s the death of ivan ilyich?

If this is the excerpt: "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."

I believe this is the "conforming to societal conventions"

Show his work so he doesn’t get points taken off. this is because even if he can do calculations in his head, he may make a mistake and having it on the paper will not only him find mistakes but show that he was doing the work as well.

I’m not sure about that