Poetry · Chapter
Soldier and Gander explained
A soldier, hungry during Sherman's march through Georgia, uses a hook and line to trick an old woman's gander into following him, then kills and roasts it for a meal.
What happens
A soldier, hungry during Sherman's march through Georgia, uses a hook and line to trick an old woman's gander into following him, then kills and roasts it for a meal.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the boy’s childish joy and naive belief that he can see Ameri…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue
The soldier's deceitful trick on the old woman and her gander illustrates a moral lesson about cunning and survival.
Key passages
“When Sherman marched through Georgia, Hanger in soldiers oft did knaw; A soldier longing for to dine He soon procured a hook and line, And put on hook a tempting bait.”
During Sherman's march through Georgia, a hungry soldier got a hook and line, baited it, and used it to catch a goose.
Sets up the soldier's plan to trick the gander.
“Old lady told soldier not to run, For gander only was in fun, And she would pledge to him her word, The gander was kind-hearted bird; She never knew him yet to fight, For in good deeds he took delight.”
The old woman assured the soldier the gander was friendly and harmless, not realizing it was being lured by the hook.
Highlights the old woman's trust and the soldier's deception.
“When soldier got across the hill, He took the hook from out its bill, Twisted its neck, and goose did roast, Oft of that meal he yet doth boast.”
Once out of sight, the soldier removed the hook, killed the goose, roasted it, and later bragged about the meal.
Reveals the soldier's ruthless outcome and pride in his trick.
