Poetry · Chapter
Henry Veeder explained
A brief poetic tribute to Henry Veeder, a Chicago lawyer known for his effective legal briefs that trouble his opponents, distinguishing him from those who defend speeders, criminals, or political radicals.
What happens
A brief poetic tribute to Henry Veeder, a Chicago lawyer known for his effective legal briefs that trouble his opponents, distinguishing him from those who defend speeders, criminals, or political radicals.
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
Highlights the professional identity and skill of Henry Veeder as a lawyer, emphasizing the craft of legal writing and its impact on adversaries.
Characters to notice
- Henry Veeder
A Chicago lawyer celebrated for his well-worded briefs that cause grief to his opponents, unlike lawyers who defend speeders, yeggmen, or Bolshevik leaders.
Key passages
“Henry Veeder Lawyer, Chicago He doesn’t defend any speeders Nor yeggmen nor Bolshevik leaders, But his well-worded briefs Add much to the griefs Of opponents of Hen‑er‑y Veeder’s.”
Henry Veeder is a Chicago lawyer who does not take cases for speeders, criminals, or Bolsheviks; instead, his skillfully written legal arguments cause significant trouble for those who oppose him.
Summarizes the poem's content, emphasizing Veeder's specialized and effective legal practice.
