Poetry · Chapter
A Fish Commissioner explained
A satirical poem about Joseph D.
What happens
A satirical poem about Joseph D. Redding, who mistakes a fish-horn for the trumpet of Fame, leading the goddess Fame to angrily fill her trumpet with ink and splatter his name through the press.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The poem mocks Joseph D. Redding's self-importance and the fickle nature of public reputation.
Deception and Self-Deception
Redding deceives himself into believing a fish-horn is the trumpet of Fame, leading to his public humiliation.
Characters to notice
- Fame
The goddess of Fame, angered by Redding's confusion, uses ink to defame him through the press.
Key passages
“Great Joseph D. Redding—illustrious name!— Considered a fish-horn the trumpet of Fame.”
The renowned Joseph D. Redding mistakenly thought a fish-horn was the trumpet of the goddess Fame.
Highlights Redding's delusion of grandeur.
“That goddess was angry, and what do you think? Her trumpet she filled with a gallon of ink, And all through the Press, with a devilish glee, She sputtered and spattered the name of J. D.”
The angry goddess Fame filled her trumpet with ink and gleefully spread Redding's name through the press in a messy, defamatory way.
Illustrates Fame's revenge and the satirical tone.