# Charles A. White explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, whimsical tribute to Charles A. White, a Chicago banker who once held the Elks' money bag without stealing, earning the narrator's trust and admiration for his honesty on the golf course.

## Themes in this chapter

### Money and Materialism

The poem highlights trust in financial integrity, contrasting honesty with the temptation of theft.

### Humor and Satire

The lighthearted rhyme and golf metaphor create a playful, satirical tone about character and trust.

## Character check-ins

### Charles A. White

A Chicago banker trusted for his honesty with the Elks' money bag and his golf game.

## Key lines

> He once held the Elks’ money bag And didn’t make off with no swag

He was entrusted with the Elks' funds and did not steal any of it.

_Emphasizes White's honesty and reliability._

> When he counts up the strokes He had twixt the tee and the flag

When he tallies his golf strokes from tee to hole.

_Uses golf as a metaphor for integrity and precision._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/charles-a-white
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters