Schwartz is the "cool" character in the first part of the story. Please analyze him.
Schwartz is considered cool, through no words on the speaker, the characters, or himself. However, despite this, it is obvious that he is intended to be seen as cool, like the grown up version of the popular kid in high school, funny and distanced, but yet right there to absorb the benefits.
What makes Schwartz the "cool" character right of the bat is his introduction to the story. Schwartz is seen walking down a flight of stairs and he looks right at central character Peter Ivanovich. He then winks, in a way saying "Ivan Ilych has made a mess of things -- not like you and me."This establishes him as confident and funny, but also shows that he is a quiet and collected man, not excited to see his old friend or depressed by the death of another, but rather accepting of both as if they were mere happenings of no consequence. This is a common trait of cool, to have ones emotions collected and to be able to maintain a constant state throughout life's events. Even his appearance through this minor event is described as having an air of elegant solemnity, with a slim physique and piccadilly whiskers.
Imagine Schwartz to be like these two images combined
This provides the reader with an image of a fit, attractive man with everything he could want in the world, a trait that is always considered cool by nearly all. Additionally he is described as playful, a trait that is often seen as cool for it has youthful properties but does not deny intelligence as many other youthful traits.
Another way that Schwartz is seen as cool is that he does not have to adhere to others. When Peter sees him, it is not he that goes to Peter, no, he merely looks at him and winks and Peter goes to Schwartz. Having people do things for you in this manor is often seen as cool and is a desirable trait. He is also able to portray another series of messages through no actual discussion, instructing Peter where they are to play bridge later that evening with a mere twist of his eyebrows coupled with his playful eyes and compressed lips.
Lastly, Schwartz can be seen to be "cool" by his posture and placement during the funeral. Here, Schwartz is seen to be standing with his legs spread, playing with his hat behind his back. This kind of action is often seen to have a certain boyish charm, another trait to be seen as "cool". Not only that, but merely seeing him makes Peter feel better, meaning that he has an uplifting sense about him, also cool and even more so, rare. It is here that Schwartz is thought of by Peter as being above all of the happenings and that he would not suffer to the depression present. Essentially, he would live his life the same and act as if business were as usual. After being invited in to the ceremonies, he merely bows in place, not accepting or declining, showing his indifference and that he was above the activities. As Peter is pulled out of the room, he yet again says things with a look, that he feels for his friend in a light manor, even joking at his predicament.
For these reasons Schwartz is shown to be quite cool, even if he is only barely in the beginning of the story. His appearances are both devilish in charm and schoolboy-like. He is cool in many ways, and these ways make him the character most memorable and most visual for the reader to see. To be able to know a character to be so cool and yet make that so distant and impossible to obtain makes him even cooler and shows that Schwartz is above all and simply is.
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