The Old Shoemaker
The story revolves around a poor shoemaker who lives with his wife and children in a small village. He struggles to make ends meet, working tirelessly to provide for his family despite the poverty that surrounds him. One day, a wealthy merchant visits the village and offers to buy the shoemaker's house at an exorbitant price. The shoemaker is tempted by the offer but ultimately decides against it, realizing that selling would mean abandoning his home and community. The villagers, who have grown accustomed to the shoemaker's kindness and generosity, rally around him and raise money to help him purchase a new plot of land. Through their collective efforts, the shoemaker is able to maintain his independence and continue living in the village with his family. The story highlights the importance of community and solidarity in overcoming adversity, as well as the value of staying true to one's principles and values despite financial hardship.
By Voltairine De Cleyre · First published 1912 · Genre: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary · 533 words
First lines
He had lived a long time there, in the house at the end of the alley, and no one had ever known that he was a great man. He was lean and palsied and had a crooked back; his beard was grey and ragged and his eyebrows came too far forward; there were seams and flaps in the empty, yellow old skin, and he gasped horribly when he breathed, taking hold of the lintel of the door to steady himself when he stepped out on the broken bricks of the alley. He lived with a frightful old woman who scrubbed the floors of the rag-shop, and drank beer, and growled at the children who poked fun at her. He had lived with her eighteen years, she said, stroking the furry little kitten that curled up in her neck as if she had been beautiful.
What this Textopian page supports
The Old Shoemaker is listed on Textopian as a short story by Voltairine De Cleyre, dated 1912 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Voltairine De Cleyre
- Date: 1912 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Magical Realism, Character Study
- Length: 533 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Old Shoemaker by Voltairine De Cleyre
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Old Shoemaker?
- How does this short story by Voltairine De Cleyre fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Philosophical Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Burning Spear by John Galsworthy
- The Silver Mine by Selma Lagerlof
- The Broken Boot by John Galsworthy
- The Song Of The Wage Slave by Robert W. Service
- The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
- Roach Hole by Aleksandr Kuprin
Genres
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of existence, identity, and the nature of greatness, prompting reflection on the human condition.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is rich and descriptive, focusing on character development and emotional depth rather than plot-driven action.
- Social Commentary — The story critiques societal perceptions of worth and the hidden greatness within individuals, highlighting themes of poverty and dignity.
- Magical Realism — The presence of the 'Mighty One' introduces a surreal element that transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary, blurring the lines between reality and the metaphysical.
Tags
Fiction · Short Story · Social Commentary · Labor Rights · Working Class · Poverty · Exploitation · Capitalism · Critique of Capitalism · Anarchist Themes · Revolutionary Fiction · Class Struggle