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Poetry · Chapter

Philip R. Clarke explained

A brief, humorous quatrain about Philip R.

What happens

A brief, humorous quatrain about Philip R. Clarke, president of Federal Securities Corp. in Chicago, who wishes for an all-year-round baseball season instead of winter.

Themes in this chapter

  • Humor and Satire

    The quatrain uses lighthearted humor to express a whimsical wish for perpetual baseball season.

  • Work and Profession

    Philip R. Clarke is identified by his professional role as president of a securities corporation.

Characters to notice

  • Philip R. Clarke

    Subject of the quatrain; president of Federal Securities Corp., Chicago, who humorously advocates for a year-round baseball season.

Key passages

  • He cannot see any good reason Why God made the winter to freeze in. If it were left out, He’d insist, this old scout, On an all-the-year-round baseball season.

    He sees no justification for winter's freezing cold; if it were eliminated, he would advocate for baseball to be played all year long.

    Summarizes Clarke's humorous complaint about winter and his desire for perpetual baseball.