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Poetry · Chapter
Chas. B. Moore explained
A brief, whimsical verse about Charles B.
What happens
A brief, whimsical verse about Charles B. Moore, a vice-president of the American Bond & Mortgage Co. in Chicago, who feels no guilt over a bear that was meant to be killed, questioning why the farmer should cry over spilt milk.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Satire
The verse uses playful rhyme and absurdity to comment on guilt and responsibility.
Characters to notice
- Chas. B. Moore
Vice-President of American Bond & Mortgage Co., Chicago; subject of a lighthearted verse about a bear and spilt milk.
Key passages
“In Charles there’s no feeling of guilt; ’Twas a bear that he meant should be kilt. And I cannot see why The farmer should cry Over milk unavoidably spilt.”
Charles feels no remorse because he intended to kill the bear; the farmer's tears over spilled milk seem pointless.
The verse humorously dismisses regret over unavoidable outcomes.