Poetry · Chapter
Guilford S. Wood explained
A brief, whimsical verse about Guilford S.
What happens
A brief, whimsical verse about Guilford S. Wood, a railway supplies salesman in Chicago, expressing a hope that he succeeds in selling to certain customers and noting his hobbies of enjoying juicy oranges and prunes.
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
The chapter focuses on Guilford S. Wood's occupation as a seller of railway supplies.
Characters to notice
- Guilford S. Wood
Subject of the chapter; a railway supplies salesman in Chicago with a taste for oranges and prunes.
Key passages
“Guilford S. Wood Railway Supplies, Chicago This party sells railroad supplies, And I hope he stings some of those guys.”
Guilford S. Wood, a Chicago-based railway supplies salesman, is described with the wish that he successfully makes sales to certain individuals.
Introduces the character and his profession with a playful tone.
“His hobbies, you see, Are oranges juicy And prunes of respectable size”
His personal interests include enjoying juicy oranges and large prunes.
Adds a lighthearted detail about his hobbies.
