Poetry · Chapter
Walden W. Shaw explained
A brief poetic tribute to Walden W.
What happens
A brief poetic tribute to Walden W. Shaw, president of the Yellow Cab Company in Chicago, highlighting his comfort on the sea and in the air, and playing on the word 'Yellow' as both his company's color and a term for cowardice.
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 poem celebrates Walden W. Shaw's professional identity as president of Yellow Cab Co. and his personal pursuits.
Characters to notice
- Walden W. Shaw
President of Yellow Cab Co., Chicago; described as at home on the sea and fond of piloting, with a playful reference to his company's color.
Key passages
“He’s at home on the turbulent blue; He’s fond of sky-piloting, too; In fact, no smart fellow Would call him a Yellow, Though that is his favorite hue.”
He is comfortable on the rough sea and also enjoys flying airplanes; no clever person would call him a coward, even though yellow is his preferred color.
Explains the double meaning of 'Yellow' as both the cab company color and a slang term for cowardice.
