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Poetry · Chapter

Wm. F. Von Sennet explained

A brief, humorous poem about Wm.

What happens

A brief, humorous poem about Wm. F. Von Sennet, a department manager at Illinois Steel Co. in Chicago, who enjoys golfing but is even more skilled with a gun, playfully comparing putting to shooting ducks.

Themes in this chapter

  • Humor and Satire

    The poem uses playful exaggeration and a pun to humorously compare golf putting to duck hunting.

  • Work and Profession

    The subject is identified by his professional role as a department manager at Illinois Steel Co.

Characters to notice

  • Unknown Narrator

    The narrator presents a lighthearted, poetic sketch of Wm. F. Von Sennet.

Key passages

  • Oh, yes, he likes golfing; it’s fun. But he makes straighter shots with a gun. When he’s having good luck, He can putt at a duck And frequently hole it in one.

    He enjoys golf but is even more accurate with a rifle, often hitting a duck as if sinking a putt.

    The poem humorously equates golfing skill with marksmanship.