Poetry · Chapter
Col. Benj. G. Brinkman explained
A brief, humorous verse celebrating Colonel Benjamin G.
What happens
A brief, humorous verse celebrating Colonel Benjamin G. Brinkman, a banker and chairman of the board of the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighting his versatility and prominence in St. Louis society, particularly his role in the Liederkranz club.
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
- Humor and Satire
The chapter uses playful, exaggerated language ('the whole doggone cheese') to satirize the subject's social standing.
- Work and Profession
Highlights Brinkman's roles as a banker and chairman of the St. Louis Cardinals board.
Key passages
“He’s at home in a sieve or a tub, A launch, or a yacht, or a sub”
He is equally comfortable in any kind of vessel, from a simple tub to a submarine.
Emphasizes his adaptability and ease in various situations.
“And furthermore he’s The whole doggone cheese Of St. Louis’s big Liederkranz club.”
Moreover, he is the most important person in St. Louis's prominent Liederkranz club.
Uses colloquial slang to underscore his central role in the club.
