Poetry · Chapter
XI: A Vice-President explained
A brief epitaph for Schuyler Colfax, a former Vice President, reflecting on his rise to public prominence in 1871, his fall from grace in 1872, and his eventual death.
What happens
A brief epitaph for Schuyler Colfax, a former Vice President, reflecting on his rise to public prominence in 1871, his fall from grace in 1872, and his eventual death.
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
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
- Hypocrisy and Corruption
The epitaph alludes to Colfax's sudden fall from public grace, hinting at the corruption scandal that ended his career.
- Mortality and Regret
The poem's tone is one of finality and futility, emphasizing the brevity of life and the insignificance of political fame.
Key passages
“Here the remains of Schuyler Colfax lie; Born, all the world knows when, and God knows why.”
This is the grave of Schuyler Colfax, whose birth date is well known but whose purpose in life is a mystery.
The opening lines mock the subject's lack of meaningful legacy.
“In ’71 he filled the public eye, In ’72 he bade the world good-bye;”
He was famous in 1871, but by 1872 he was ruined and disappeared from public life.
References the rapid rise and fall of Colfax after the Credit Mobilier scandal broke.
