# James Levy explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief portrait of James Levy, a former bicycle racing star who now sells automobiles and airplanes in Chicago, highlighting his enduring passion for speed.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

James Levy's career shift from bicycle racer to dealer of automobiles and airplanes reflects professional evolution tied to technological change.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator observes and describes James Levy's transition from cycling to selling planes and cars.

## Key lines

> Hunched over the low handle bars, He was one of our early bike stars, And the speed bug remains: He is now selling planes And dealing in fast motor cars.

James Levy, once a celebrated bicycle racer, now channels his love for speed into selling airplanes and fast cars.

_Summarizes Levy's past and present pursuits._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/james-levy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters