# Thos. Cusack explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

A brief, whimsical tribute to Thos. Cusack, a sign painter in Chicago, suggesting that his work transforms the city's scenery annually and that belief in signs comes with financial stability.

## Themes in this chapter

### Work and Profession

The chapter highlights the profession of sign painting and its impact on the city's appearance.

### Money and Materialism

The line 'If you can afford to pay for your board' ties belief in signs to financial means.

## Key lines

> Thos. Cusack Sign Painter, Chicago Tom sees that Chicago gets nearly A whole change of scenery yearly.

Thos. Cusack, a sign painter in Chicago, annually refreshes much of the city's visual landscape.

_Summarizes the core activity and impact of the subject._

> If you can afford To pay for your board You’ll soon b’lieve in signs most sincerely.

If you can afford your living expenses, you will quickly come to appreciate the value of signs.

_Connects financial security to a belief in the importance of signage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/thos-cusack
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters