In "An Object of Beauty" by Steve Martin, the protagonist is approaching forty, a time when she reflects on her past and her evolving self. The phrase emphasizes how her youthful beauty, which once allowed her to navigate life with ease, has given way to a more complex reality. As she ages, the expectations and perceptions of her become more demanding, highlighting the societal pressures on women regarding beauty and forgiveness. At this stage in her life, the character encounters the harsher truths of her choices and their consequences. The rose imagery signifies a time of innocence and advantage that is waning as she grapples with the idea that forgiveness isn’t as readily available now. This reflection on her experience speaks to a universal theme of growing older and facing the realities that come with it.

In "An Object of Beauty," the protagonist is nearing forty, a time when she reflects on her past and her evolving self. The phrase emphasizes how her youthful beauty, which once allowed her to navigate life with ease, has given way to a more complex reality.

As she ages, the expectations and perceptions of her become more demanding, highlighting societal pressures on women regarding beauty and forgiveness. This reflection speaks to the universal theme of growing older and facing the realities that come with it.