Poetry · Chapter
Wm. J. Healy explained
A brief, humorous poem about Wm.
What happens
A brief, humorous poem about Wm. J. Healy, a trustee of the Sanitary District of Chicago, whose unusual passion for sewers is playfully contrasted with more common hobbies like fishing, motoring, or hunting.
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 chapter uses a limerick form to poke fun at a public official's niche enthusiasm for sewers.
- Work and Profession
Highlights the professional identity of Wm. J. Healy as a Sanitary District trustee and his dedication to his work.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The speaker of the limerick, addressing the reader directly.
Key passages
“I don’t know what hobby is yours; Whether fishing or motoring tours, Or hunting out West Is what you like best, But this guy is wild about sewers.”
I'm not sure what your favorite pastime is—maybe fishing, driving, or hunting in the West—but this man is obsessed with sewers.
The poem contrasts common hobbies with Healy's singular interest in sewer systems.
