# Departed Statesmen explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A poetic tribute to deceased Canadian statesmen, including Joseph Howe, D'Arcy McGee, George Cartier, John Sandfield, and George Brown, with a concluding glance at the living leaders Sir John A. Macdonald and Blake.

## Themes in this chapter

### Local Patriotism and Regional Pride

Celebrates Canadian statesmen who shaped the nation, emphasizing national pride and the legacy of Confederation.

### Mortality and Loss

Reflects on the deaths of prominent political leaders, contrasting their past struggles with the ongoing political life of the living.

## Character check-ins

### Mr. McGee

Eulogized as brilliant and free, having come from Ireland.

### Queen Victoria

Implied as the sovereign under whom these statesmen served.

## Key lines

> Joseph Howe, none higher stood than thou, Thou wert a man with lofty brow; D'Arcy McGee, so brilliant and free, From green isle you came o'er the sea.

Joseph Howe was a man of great stature and intellect, while D'Arcy McGee, a brilliant and free-spirited figure, emigrated from Ireland.

_Introduces two key statesmen, emphasizing Howe's moral height and McGee's Irish origins._

> But if a glance at this world you take You will there see John A. and Blake, But Sir John the greatest power doth wield, Our Canadian Beaconsfield.

Looking at the current political scene, one sees John A. Macdonald and Blake, but Macdonald holds the most power, likened to the British statesman Beaconsfield.

_Contrasts the deceased leaders with the living, highlighting Macdonald's dominance._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/departed-statesmen
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters