How would you interpret this phrase “golden store”?
His life was a marvel, whether he knew that or didn’t. His way of seeing a cat in a cold wind, or skeletons pressed flat in the dust. A dead fish thrown in the kitchen slop pail. He could cry for about anything and give it a decent burial. He was so afraid of living, yet live he did. That’s a monument. He wrote about those who came before, giving flesh to their cares. He was driven to it.

Now I do the same for him. Even knowing, as I do, how everyone makes firewood from the fallen tree. The professors like to hunt out some sin of Shakespeare himself, and pass that off as the golden store of the learned. I couldn’t bear this to touch Mr. Shepherd, or his loved ones or even children, if such a thing has now come to pass. I want time for him. All the paint washed off, bare limestone revealed.

How would you interpret this phrase “golden store” in the third sentence of the second paragraph?
Thanks. And this excerpt is taken from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Question

How would you interpret this phrase “golden store”?
His life was a marvel, whether he knew that or didn’t. His way of seeing a cat in a cold wind, or skeletons pressed flat in the dust. A dead fish thrown in the kitchen slop pail. He could cry for about anything and give it a decent burial. He was so afraid of living, yet live he did. That’s a monument. He wrote about those who came before, giving flesh to their cares. He was driven to it.

Now I do the same for him. Even knowing, as I do, how everyone makes firewood from the fallen tree. The professors like to hunt out some sin of Shakespeare himself, and pass that off as the golden store of the learned. I couldn’t bear this to touch Mr. Shepherd, or his loved ones or even children, if such a thing has now come to pass. I want time for him. All the paint washed off, bare limestone revealed.

How would you interpret this phrase “golden store” in the third sentence of the second paragraph?
Thanks. And this excerpt is taken from The Lacuna by Kingsolver.

Answer

"The professors like to hunt out some sin of Shakespeare himself, and pass that off as the golden store of the learned."

This means, "Academic people of successive generations like to find fault ("some sin") with Shakespeare, in his character or personal life, and do research and write essays on these faults and make these faults a treasure trove ("golden store") for themselves, as if writing about these is a sufficient achievement and a worthy goal in academic life."

"Pass off" indicates that the writer thinks it is not not real scholarship as it should be.

Answer

Please understand that this book is too difficult for a lot of native speakers too.  So it is not a fault not to understand it. You need detailed help almost every 3 or 4 lines.  That means this book is not for you.

Answer

Gordon, this book is too difficult for you.  You are being spoon-fed by us, and we can see that your English is not improving.  Try a recommended text for "A" levels next time, and you can buy an accompanying study guide to read with it.  Look up the syllabus on the internet.

Answer

I interpret "golden Store" as satirical through exaggeration. This is called hyperbole.