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Poetry · Chapter
Robert J. Dunham explained
A brief, humorous poem praising Robert J.
What happens
A brief, humorous poem praising Robert J. Dunham, Vice-President of Armour & Co., in Chicago, defending him against the typical criticisms leveled by newspaper men against packers.
Themes in this chapter
Humor and Satire
The poem uses lighthearted rhyme to satirize the adversarial relationship between newspaper men and packers.
Work and Profession
Highlights the professional roles of Robert J. Dunham as a corporate executive and the implied work of newspaper critics.
Characters to notice
- Robert J. Dunham
Vice-President of Armour & Co., Chicago, praised in the poem.
Key passages
“It’s up to a newspaper man To knock all the packers he can, So what can I say About Robert J. ? There’s nothing about him to pan.”
A newspaper reporter's job is to criticize meatpackers, but Robert J. Dunham is beyond reproach.
The poem defends Dunham against typical journalistic attacks.