# David R. Lewis explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief limerick about David R. Lewis, a Chicago banker who is generous to those in need but refuses to lend money to poets, humorously highlighting his cautious lending practices.

## Themes in this chapter

### Money and Materialism

The limerick humorously critiques the banker's selective lending, emphasizing financial prudence and the value of money.

### Humor and Satire

The poem uses wit and exaggeration to poke fun at banking practices and the poet's plight.

## Character check-ins

### Lurid Lew

The subject of the limerick, a Chicago banker known for lending to those in need but not to poets.

## Key lines

> David R. Lewis Banker, Chicago Most people who need it can owe it To Dave, if they swear they won’t blow it, And I’m sure you can trust His bank not to bust, For he won’t lend a dime to a poet.

David R. Lewis, a banker in Chicago, allows most people in need to borrow money if they promise not to waste it, and his bank is reliable because he refuses to lend any money to poets.

_Summarizes the limerick's content and its humorous critique of the banker's policy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/david-r-lewis
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters