Poetry · Chapter
Wm. H. Rankin explained
A brief, humorous tribute to Wm.
What happens
A brief, humorous tribute to Wm. H. Rankin, an advertising expert who moved from New Albany to Chicago, celebrated for his success in leading war drives.
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 rhyme and colloquial address ('old hoss') to celebrate Rankin's move and achievements.
- Community and Companionship
The verse reflects community pride and gratitude for Rankin's contributions to war drives.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator offers a lighthearted farewell and welcome to Rankin.
Key passages
“Our gain is New Albany’s loss, But we’re glad that you moved here, old hoss, And Samuel’s still thankin’ you, Hoosier Bill Rankin—you Sure put those war drives across!”
Chicago benefits from your move, even though New Albany loses you. We're happy you came, and Samuel is still grateful—you really succeeded in organizing those war drives.
The narrator expresses gratitude and admiration for Rankin's effectiveness in leading war bond campaigns.
