# Nathaniel — Short Fiction character guide

> Nathaniel in Short Fiction by Voltairine de Cleyre.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0000-a-rocket-of-iron

## Who they are

A named character with multiple proper mentions.

## Relationships

### [David](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/characters/david)

_friendship_

David and Nathaniel have a minimal but cordial connection, suggesting a casual friendship or acquaintance.

## In the story

### [A Rocket of Iron](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/a-rocket-of-iron)

The narrator observes a young, fair-faced worker with a hard, chiseled profile who remains calm during the explosion, carries a dying man, and later departs into the mist; the narrator sees him as a 'Man of Iron' with a hidden, white-hot heart and signs of early death.

### [At the End of the Alley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/at-the-end-of-the-alley)

Mentioned as a resident of the alley, possibly a child or neighbor.

### [Alone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/ii-alone)

The narrator, who returns to the alley and confronts Mrs. Bossert about her drinking, later realizing his own lack of understanding.

### [The Triumph of Youth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/the-triumph-of-youth)

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

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/characters/nathaniel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/characters