Poetry · Chapter
A Creditable Collision explained
A satirical poem describes a maritime collision in Imaginary Bay where a steamer cuts through another vessel.
What happens
A satirical poem describes a maritime collision in Imaginary Bay where a steamer cuts through another vessel. The passengers panic and scramble, the crew meets their fate with alacrity, and afterward a court of consuls, inspectors, coroners, and objectors rules it a 'spontaneous collision,' commending the skippers for feeding the lobsters.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the speaker’s obsessive pursuit of the divine rose fragrance…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Political Satire
The absurd court proceedings and verdict satirize bureaucratic and legal systems.
- Hypocrisy and Corruption
The court's ruling of 'spontaneous collision' and commendation of the skippers highlight institutional hypocrisy.
Key passages
“There was once a brave collision In Imaginary Bay, When a steamer with precision Clove its comfortable way Through another, which had hospitably stood To receive it, as a civil steamer should.”
A steamer deliberately crashes into another ship that was waiting to be hit.
Sets up the ironic tone of the poem.
“The unanimous decision Of that high and mighty court Was 'spontaneous collision'— (I am quoting the report) And the skippers were commended who had fed To the lobsters each a bellyful of dead.”
The court ruled the crash accidental and praised the captains for providing corpses to lobsters.
Satirizes legal absurdity and moral indifference.
