# J. M. Sullivan explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief limerick-style tribute to J. M. Sullivan, president of the Standard Paper Bag Co. in Chicago, highlighting his initial obscurity to bankers and his eventual success through dedication to his product.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

The chapter focuses on J. M. Sullivan's professional identity and his dedication to the paper bag business.

### Money and Materialism

The limerick contrasts Sullivan's initial lack of recognition by bankers with his eventual financial success ('roll of his own').

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents a limerick about J. M. Sullivan.

## Key lines

> This gent in the picture here shown Was not to our bankers well known Till he put his whole soul In 'bags on the roll.' Now he has a roll of his own.

The man in the photograph was unfamiliar to bankers until he devoted himself entirely to his roll-bag business; now he has his own fortune.

_Summarizes the limerick's narrative of J. M. Sullivan's rise from obscurity to prosperity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/j-m-sullivan
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters