# C. S. Peterson explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, humorous verse about C. S. Peterson, president of the Peterson Linotyping Company in Chicago, who, when lacking material to print, turns his critical eye to valuable subjects like oil, landscapes, or a girl, and then bids farewell to the October print.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The chapter is a lighthearted, satirical poem mocking C. S. Peterson's printing habits.

### Work and Profession

Focuses on C. S. Peterson's role as president of a linotyping company and his professional quirks.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents a satirical verse about C. S. Peterson.

## Key lines

> When there’s nothing in sight he can print, He taketh a critical squint At some valuable oil, A landscape or goil, And farewell to the October rint!

When there is no material to print, he critically examines something valuable like oil, a landscape, or a girl, and then the October print is gone.

_The verse humorously describes Peterson's tendency to replace print content with other subjects._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/c-s-peterson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters