Poetry · Chapter
Maclay Hoyne explained
A brief poetic tribute to Maclay Hoyne, the States Attorney of Chicago, emphasizing his moral clarity and the principle that those who are upright have nothing to fear from him, while wrongdoers face his judgment.
What happens
A brief poetic tribute to Maclay Hoyne, the States Attorney of Chicago, emphasizing his moral clarity and the principle that those who are upright have nothing to fear from him, while wrongdoers face his judgment.
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 readingCharacters to notice
- Maclay
States Attorney of Chicago, known for his uncompromising stance on right and wrong.
Key passages
“Maclay Hoyne States Attorney, Chicago So long as a man is OK, He won’t run afoul of Maclay. You’re his friend if you’re right; If you’re not, why good night! You’ll notice I’m moving away.”
Maclay Hoyne, the State's Attorney of Chicago, will not trouble an honest person; he befriends the righteous and dismisses the guilty, prompting the speaker to depart.
The verse encapsulates Hoyne's reputation for integrity and the speaker's decision to leave rather than face scrutiny.
