# Howard Elting explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief poetic tribute to Howard Elting, a paint manufacturer from Chicago, highlighting the contrast between his professional sphere and his genuine, unpretentious character.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

The poem references Howard Elting's role as a paint manufacturer in Chicago.

## Character check-ins

### Victor Elting

Mentioned as the subject of the poem, a paint manufacturer from Chicago.

## Key lines

> Howard Elting Paint Manufacturer, Chicago The Oil and Paint world is his sphere; Yet somehow this seems rather queer, For when you know him well It is easy to tell He’s a man without any veneer.

Howard Elting works in the paint industry, but despite that, he is a genuine and unpretentious person.

_The poem contrasts his professional identity with his authentic character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/howard-elting
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters