Poetry · Chapter
Robert J. Dunham explained
A brief, humorous poem praising Robert J.
What happens
A brief, humorous poem praising Robert J. Dunham, Vice-President of Armour & Co., in Chicago, defending him against the typical criticisms leveled by newspaper men against packers.
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 poem uses lighthearted rhyme to satirize the adversarial relationship between newspaper men and packers.
- Work and Profession
Highlights the professional roles of Robert J. Dunham as a corporate executive and the implied work of newspaper critics.
Characters to notice
- Robert J. Dunham
Vice-President of Armour & Co., Chicago, praised in the poem.
Key passages
“It’s up to a newspaper man To knock all the packers he can, So what can I say About Robert J. ? There’s nothing about him to pan.”
A newspaper reporter's job is to criticize meatpackers, but Robert J. Dunham is beyond reproach.
The poem defends Dunham against typical journalistic attacks.
