# Bennett Griffin explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief poetic portrait of Bennett Griffin, an insurance man in Chicago, who uses a fiddle and bow to persuade reluctant customers into buying life insurance.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

Bennett Griffin's profession as an insurance man is central to the chapter.

### Humor and Satire

The whimsical image of a fiddle and bow being used to close a sale adds a humorous twist to the insurance pitch.

## Character check-ins

### Bennett Griffin

Insurance man in Chicago who plays a fiddle and bow to convince customers.

## Key lines

> Bennett Griffin Insurance Man, Chicago “You need life insurance,” he’ll urge, And when you are just on the verge Of telling him “No,” Out come fiddle and bow And he changes your mind with a dirge.

Bennett Griffin, an insurance salesman in Chicago, insists you need life insurance. Just as you're about to refuse, he pulls out a fiddle and bow and plays a mournful tune that convinces you otherwise.

_Summarizes the entire chapter's content._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/bennett-griffin
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters