# Lelan O. Green explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, whimsical portrait of Lelan O. Green, a Chicago dentist who also plays the cornet, celebrated for his dual talents and popularity with both patients and audiences.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

Highlights the unusual combination of dentistry and musicianship.

### Humor and Satire

The playful tone and rhetorical questions add a humorous touch to the character portrait.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The narrator presents a playful, admiring sketch of Lelan O. Green.

## Key lines

> A dentist who play a cornet! And nobody’s poisoned him yet?

A dentist who also plays the cornet, and no patient has poisoned him in retaliation.

_Wry humor about the perceived risk of a dentist with a musical side gig._

> He’s his patients’ and audience’s pet.

He is beloved by both his dental patients and his concert audiences.

_Summarizes his dual appeal as a dentist and performer._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/lelan-o-green
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters