The major theme of this story from Willa Cather is daring to be different. The protagonist and his aging uncle have the same birthday. Both have suffered major losses: the protagonist, his share of his father’s fortune, frittered away on travel and entertainment; the uncle, a young musical protégée he undoubtedly loved. They share a house, living in the past among sentimental relics and resisting cultural aspects of “modern” (1920s) America. An unexpected visitor on their mutual birthday signals that things may soon change for the better. Themes include nonconformity, cultural dissent, judgmentalism, the price of “success”, and revitalization.
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