Poetry · Chapter
Apparition explained
The poem describes a ghost that haunts the editorial office of the Bulletin, writing with a real quill on real paper, producing phantoms of thoughts from dead men.
What happens
The poem describes a ghost that haunts the editorial office of the Bulletin, writing with a real quill on real paper, producing phantoms of thoughts from dead men. The ghost's presence terrifies editors, printers, and readers alike, and the poem ends with a lament that Bill Bartlett will never stay dead.
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
- Mortality and Regret
The ghost represents the persistence of the dead, haunting the living with unfinished work and unresolved presence.
- Art and Criticism
The ghost's writing of 'phantoms of thoughts that dead men think' critiques the nature of journalism and the lingering influence of past writers.
Characters to notice
- Bill Bartlett
The ghost haunting the Bulletin office is identified as Bill Bartlett, who refuses to stay dead.
Key passages
“The ghosts are all gone, the Bulletin cries.”
The Bulletin newspaper claims that all ghosts have disappeared.
Sets up the irony that a ghost is actually present.
“O God! will Bill Bartlett never stay dead?”
A cry of despair that Bill Bartlett's ghost continues to haunt the office.
Reveals the identity of the ghost and the frustration of the living.
