When the story opens, Dodong feels mature and ready to marry at age 17:

Thinking himself a man grown, Dodong felt he could do anything.

Although his father does not like the idea, Dodong marries his girlfriend. By nine months later, when his wife gives birth, Dodong has reconsidered his situation. He feels too young to be a father, though happy when he sees the baby.

Dodong and his wife have six children in six years, more than either one wants. Dodong moves from hopeful youth and assuredness to feeling a victim of fate. He wonders where the dreams and love of youth went. He is no longer as confident as he was at 17.

The cycle of life repeats itself as his own son approaches him at age 18 to tell him he will marry his girlfriend. Dodong thinks this a bad idea and feels sad for his son. At the same time, he has become passive and resigned, so he does not stand in his son's way:

But he was helpless. He could not do anything. Youth must triumph . . . now. Love must triumph . . . now. Afterwards . . . it will be life.

The story shows how Dodong moves from youthful hopefulness and vitality to being ground down by disillusion and a sense of impotence. Villa implies that this is the fate of every person, depicting Dodong as a type rather than a fully realized character.