# Wm. F. Von Sennet explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

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

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/wm-f-von-sennet
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters