Poetry · Chapter
A Future Conversation explained
A traveler in the year 3003 encounters a plowman amid the ruins of Washington, D.C., and learns of the legendary Mother Jones, who led a march of miners' wives on the capital.
What happens
A traveler in the year 3003 encounters a plowman amid the ruins of Washington, D.C., and learns of the legendary Mother Jones, who led a march of miners' wives on the capital. The plowman recounts how her militant actions brought down the city, though politicians had already looted it. The traveler then claims to have an even better tale.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The poem satirizes political corruption and the futility of protest, with politicians having 'cleaned out' the city before the marchers arrived.
Deception and Self-Deception
The traveler admits to being a liar and claims to have a better tale, highlighting the theme of unreliable narration.
Characters to notice
- Mother Jones
Celebrated as a warrior-dame who led armed women on Washington during a coal strike, reducing the city to ruins.
- Tom Carew
Mentioned as Smith Carew, author of 'The Decline and Fall Of America,' a respected historical work.
Key passages
“What is this I see, what is this I see In this year of our Lord 3003? What ruins are spread in confusion wide Over hill and plain by Potomac’s side?”
The traveler asks what the ruins are beside the Potomac River in the year 3003.
Opens the poem with a vision of a desolate future Washington.
“These, traveler, these are the leveled stones Attesting the prowess of Mother Jones.”
The plowman explains that the ruins are evidence of Mother Jones's destructive power.
Introduces Mother Jones as a legendary figure who caused the city's destruction.
“The cannon, my friend—but no harm was done, For before the city was overrun By the warrior-dames of that rebel rout The politicians had cleaned it out”
The cannon fire caused no harm because politicians had already looted the city before the women arrived.
Satirizes political corruption, suggesting the city was already emptied by its leaders.
“O affable plowman, I’d fain admire Your tale, but, alas, I’m myself a liar! Besides, I’ve a better one, which, mayhap, You’d like to be hearing.”
The traveler admits to being a liar and offers to tell an even better story.
Ends with the traveler's self-confessed unreliability, hinting at further tall tales.