How does leo tolstoy contrast the characters of gerasim and ivan ilyich in the death of ivan ilyich? ivan ilyich doesn’t like materialistic people, and gerasim doesn’t hate anybody. gerasim shows concern for ivan ilyich, whereas ivan has led a self-centered life. ivan ilyich doesn’t treat gerasim as his son, but gerasim treats ivan as his father. gerasim is unhappy as a servant, whereas ivan ilyich is proud of his position in society.