Barriers Burned Away · Chapter
A Miserable Triumph explained
Dennis Fleet dedicates himself to painting in the attic of the store, growing thin from intense effort, while Christine Ludolph, recovered from illness, prepares for her own artistic triumph.
What happens
Dennis Fleet dedicates himself to painting in the attic of the store, growing thin from intense effort, while Christine Ludolph, recovered from illness, prepares for her own artistic triumph. She becomes distant and absorbed in her work, barely acknowledging Dennis. One morning, two identical paintings arrive at the store, one an original European work and the other a copy made in Chicago. Mr. Schwartz and even the artist Mr. Cornell cannot tell them apart. Christine, who painted the copy, watches with triumph as Dennis, after careful study, seems to solve the puzzle, but she sarcastically challenges him to speak.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Ambition
Both Dennis and Christine are driven by artistic ambition, working tirelessly to improve their skills and achieve recognition, culminating in Christine's perfect copy that challenges the experts.
Social Class and Barriers
Dennis feels the distance between himself and Christine due to his lowly position, while Christine muses on his gentlemanly qualities despite his station, highlighting class tensions.
Love and Sacrifice
Dennis's unrequited love for Christine drives him to sacrifice his health and time, while the painting depicts a crusader's parting from his bride, echoing themes of love and loss.
Characters to notice
- Dennis Fleet
Dennis secretly studies painting in the attic, grows thin from overwork, and feels ignored by Christine. He is the only one who can distinguish the original painting from the copy.
- Christine Ludolph
Christine has recovered from illness and is intensely focused on her art. She painted the copy that perfectly matches the original and feels triumphant when no one can tell them apart.
- Mr. Ludolph
Mr. Ludolph brings in experts to examine the two paintings and challenges them to identify the copy. He promotes Dennis to a better position in the store.
- Miss Winthrop
Miss Winthrop is present with Christine, sharing her nervous excitement about the paintings. She notices Dennis's intense focus and whispers to Christine about him.
- Mr. Schwartz
Mr. Schwartz is flustered and admits he cannot tell the original from the copy, despite having seen the original daily.
- Mr. Cornell
Mr. Cornell, a well-known artist, is brought in to examine the paintings and confesses he can feel a difference but cannot identify it.
Key passages
“She evidently had something on her mind by which it was completely occupied. "She does not even think of me," sighed Dennis; "she evidently imagines that there is an immeasurable distance between us yet."”
Christine is so absorbed in her own thoughts that she barely notices Dennis, reinforcing his feeling that she sees an unbridgeable gap between their social stations.
Highlights Dennis's sense of social inferiority and unrequited love.
“But a deadly blight suddenly came over all his hopes. One bright morning late in May two large flat boxes were brought to the store.”
Dennis's aspirations are crushed when two mysterious paintings arrive, signaling a turning point in his relationship with Christine.
Foreshadows the conflict over the paintings and Christine's triumph.
“Christine's face fairly glowed with triumph, and her eyes were all aflame as she glanced at her friend.”
Christine's expression reveals her intense pride and excitement as her perfect copy goes unrecognized by the experts.
Captures Christine's moment of artistic victory and her competitive nature.
