# This Afternoon explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The narrator reflects on the discomfort of being forced to endure cold weather at a baseball game, contrasting his own compulsory attendance with the fans' voluntary presence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

The narrator's lament about being forced to stay 'or get canned' highlights the theme of work obligations overriding personal comfort.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker who is compelled to stay at the game despite the cold.

## Key lines

> I must be here or get canned.

I have to stay or I'll lose my job.

_The narrator emphasizes the lack of choice due to employment._

> I didn’t pay to be froze.

I didn't pay money to freeze.

_A wry observation that the fans chose to pay for the experience, while he suffers it for free._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/this-afternoon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters