# Elliott G. Stevenson explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief poetic tribute to Elliott G. Stevenson, a lawyer from Detroit, who is remembered with a mix of fear and respect by the inventor of the flivver (likely Henry Ford). The verse suggests that Stevenson's legal pursuits were so formidable that the inventor will not initiate any further lawsuits until Stevenson has passed away.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The poem uses a light, rhyming, and slightly mocking tone to describe a lawyer's fearsome reputation, blending humor with a touch of dark comedy.

### Work and Profession

The chapter highlights the professional identity of Elliott G. Stevenson as a lawyer, and references the inventor of the flivver, emphasizing the intersection of law and industry.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents a short, humorous epitaph-like poem about Elliott G. Stevenson.

## Key lines

> The gent who invented the flivver Still thinks of this guy with a shiver, And you bet your boots He will start no more suits Till Elliott’s crossed the dark river.

The man who created the Model T car still trembles at the thought of Elliott Stevenson, and he will not file any more lawsuits until Stevenson has died.

_This paraphrase captures the poem's implication that Stevenson was a litigator so effective that his opponent avoids legal action until his death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/elliott-g-stevenson
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters