# S. R. Kaufman explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, whimsical poem from the perspective of S. R. Kaufman, president of the Congress Hotel in Chicago, expressing a satisfied smile at the thought of famous visitors like Campanini, Farrar, and Houdini gracing his establishment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

The poem highlights the professional pride of a hotel president in hosting famous guests.

## Character check-ins

### S. Jay Kaufman

Speaker of the poem, president of the Congress Hotel, Chicago.

## Key lines

> I’d wear the same satisfied smile If I, too, could say without guile: “Oh, yes, Campanini, Farrar and Houdini All visit me once in a while.”

I would be just as pleased if I could honestly say that famous performers like Campanini, Farrar, and Houdini occasionally visit me.

_Expresses the pride and satisfaction of hosting notable figures._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/s-r-kaufman
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters