# Thomas O’Connor explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, poetic tribute to Thomas O’Connor, Chief of the Chicago Fire Department, suggesting that after his death insurance rates will rise.

## Key lines

> When the Chief joins the heavenly choir, The H.C. of L. will go higher, For surer than Fate They will double the rate For insuring your home against fire.

When Chief O'Connor dies, the insurance companies will surely raise fire insurance rates.

_A satirical epitaph predicting higher insurance costs after the chief's death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/thomas-o-connor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters