Poetry · Chapter
Wm. F. Von Sennet explained
A brief, humorous poem about Wm.
What happens
A brief, humorous poem about Wm. F. Von Sennet, a department manager at Illinois Steel Co. in Chicago, who enjoys golfing but is even more skilled with a gun, playfully comparing putting to shooting ducks.
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 playful exaggeration and a pun to humorously compare golf putting to duck hunting.
- Work and Profession
The subject is identified by his professional role as a department manager at Illinois Steel Co.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator presents a lighthearted, poetic sketch of Wm. F. Von Sennet.
Key passages
“Oh, yes, he likes golfing; it’s fun. But he makes straighter shots with a gun. When he’s having good luck, He can putt at a duck And frequently hole it in one.”
He enjoys golf but is even more accurate with a rifle, often hitting a duck as if sinking a putt.
The poem humorously equates golfing skill with marksmanship.
