The "Goldfish"
by Arthur Cheney Train (1875–1945)
- Free to read
- 4 hours to read
- 6 chapters
- Reading level: 8th & 9th grade
"The 'Goldfish'" by Arthur Cheney Train is a reflective novel likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around a successful man who grapples with the profound questions of happiness and fulfillment in life despite his material achievements. As he approaches the milestone of fifty years, he reflects on his life’s journey, questioning whether success truly constitutes happiness. At the start of the book, the protagonist contemplates his recent birthday, expressing a mix of pride and melancholy over his achievements and societal status. He acknowledges his outward success—financial security, a stable family, and social standing—yet he feels a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with his life, wondering if he has failed to live meaningfully. As he recalls various past events, including a family outing to a theater performance that left him unfulfilled, he draws parallels between his life and a horse race where competitors make no actual progress. This introspective exploration sets the foundation for his quest to analyze not just his existence but the collective state of affluent society, assessing the moral implications of their lives and values.
- Leisure class
- Wealth · Moral and ethical aspects
Read the opening
Chapter I
MYSELF
"My house, my affairs, my ache and my religion—"
I was fifty years old to-day. Half a century has hurried by since I first lay in my mother's wondering arms. To be sure, I am not old; but I can no longer deceive myself into believing that I am still young. After all, the illusion of youth is a mental habit consciously encouraged to defy and face down the reality of age. If, at twenty, one feels that he has reached man's estate he, nevertheless, tests his strength and abilities, his early successes or failures, by the temporary and fictitious standards of youth.
At thirty a professional man is younger than the business man of twenty-five. Less is expected of him; his work is less responsible; he has not been so long on his job. At forty the doctor or lawyer may still achieve an unexpected success. He has hardly won his spurs, though in his heart he well knows his own limitations. He can still say: "I am young yet!" And he is.
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About this edition
This free edition of The "Goldfish" by Arthur Cheney Train comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #12920, released 2004-07-16. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Novels, American Literature.
Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).
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