# Robert J. Dunham explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Robert J. Dunham

Vice-President of Armour & Co., Chicago, praised in the poem.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/robert-j-dunham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters