Poetry · Chapter
C. L. Maguire explained
A brief poetic tribute to C.
What happens
A brief poetic tribute to C. L. Maguire, president of Lakeside Petroleum Co., highlighting his transition from the labor of selling oil to the leisure of golfing.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This is the story's dramatic climax because the speaker confronts the painful realization that his child’s lov…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Work and Profession
Maguire's arduous toil of vending oil is contrasted with his leisure activity.
- Humor and Satire
The lighthearted verse humorously depicts Maguire's eagerness to golf, 'ploughing up an acre of soil.'
Characters to notice
- L. Maguire
Subject of the chapter; president of Lakeside Petroleum Co., enjoys golf after work.
Key passages
“When he’s through with the arduous toil Of vending a gallon of oil, He hastens with glee To the nearest first tee And ploughs up an acre of soil.”
After finishing the hard work of selling oil, he happily rushes to the golf course and digs up a large area of ground.
Summarizes the poem's depiction of Maguire's post-work golfing habit.
