# The Old Shoemaker — Short Fiction character guide

> The Old Shoemaker in Short Fiction by Voltairine de Cleyre.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0010-the-old-shoemaker

## Snapshot

A wasted, world-soiled cobbler who receives a stately Visitor in his alley and is transfigured, smiling, before the eyes of those who bow and go out.

## Who they are

The Old Shoemaker sits in his alley over a teacup when the Mighty One comes walking over the sun-beaten bricks, taking no note of the others, entering without asking. He shows no surprise, sets down the cup, and enters into communion with the Stranger, while the infinite dignity of the Unknown covers his wasted limbs and wizened face. Those who witness it understand without words that they have stood at the foot of Tabor and seen a worn soul pass upward smiling, its crust crumbled away — they have been in the presence of Freedom.

## Relationships

### [Bella](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/characters/bella)

_professional_

Bella interacts with the Old Shoemaker in a transactional or service-based capacity, likely as a customer or neighbor.

## In the story

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/i)

Not present; no match in this chapter.

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

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

### [The Old Shoemaker](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/the-old-shoemaker)

A lean, palsied, crooked-backed old man who lives in the alley and works as a shoemaker; he is visited by a great, mysterious Visitor and experiences a transfiguration.

### [The Individualist and the Communist](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/the-individualist-and-the-communist)

Referenced as an example of a worker who might change trades under free competition, illustrating the Individualist's argument about specialization and adaptability.

### [Between the Living and the Dead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_55_se/chapters/between-the-living-and-the-dead)

The man who sits propped at his window, caresses a geranium, and ultimately commits suicide by jumping.

## Links

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