# The Triumph of Youth explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Voltairine de Cleyre.

## What happens

A woman and a young man named Bernard discuss beauty, youth, and aging while observing a group of young people. Three years later, on a cooperative farm, the woman watches Bernard with a younger woman, Bella, and reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, ultimately resolving to resist surrender.

## Themes in this chapter

### Beauty and Youth

Central theme: the woman's obsession with preserving beauty and youth, and the inevitable loss of both.

### Love and Sacrifice

Bernard's shifting affection and the woman's sacrifice of her own desires for the sake of youth's triumph.

### Death and Mortality

The woman's fear of aging and death, symbolized by the old man and her own reflection.

## Character check-ins

### Bernard

Young man in love with the woman, initially devoted but later turns to Bella.

### Bella

Timid, radiant young woman who becomes Bernard's new companion three years later.

### David

Mentioned as 'Davy,' a bright young figure admired by the woman.

### Nathaniel

Deceased; referenced in the woman's memory about choosing beauty over life.

### The Old Shoemaker

Old man helped by the woman on the road; symbolizes aging and frailty.

## Key lines

> How wide it is, how far it is! One can get one's breath. In the city I always feel that the walls are squeezing my chest.

The woman expresses relief at the open countryside, contrasting it with the oppressive feeling of the city.

_Highlights the theme of nature versus industrial confinement._

> If there were any way to fix Davy's head forever, just as he passed us now—forever, so that all the world might keep it and see it for all time, I would cut it off with this hand!

The woman admits she would kill to preserve a moment of perfect youthful beauty.

_Illustrates her extreme devotion to beauty and her desperation against its transience._

> I will not surrender. Was it he I loved? It was his youth, his beauty, his life. And younger youth shall love me still, stronger life. I will not, I will not die alive.

She resolves to fight against aging and loss, vowing to remain vital despite her pain.

_Shows her resilience and refusal to accept decline._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/the-triumph-of-youth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_55_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters