# A Fish Commissioner explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### Fame

The goddess of Fame, angered by Redding's confusion, uses ink to defame him through the press.

## Key lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-fish-commissioner
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters