# A Jack-at-All-Views explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce. ## What happens The narrator addresses Estee, expressing surprise that he is still alive after having been presumed dead and buried with railroad money. The poem recalls Estee's past as a fierce opponent of railroads who later became a servant to the very 'robber barons' he once fought, and questions his current political stance. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Corruption Estee's shift from anti-railroad activist to servant of Stanford exemplifies political and moral hypocrisy. ### Political Satire The poem mocks Estee's contradictory political allegiances and the absurdity of his transformation. ## Character check-ins ### Estee Addressed directly by the narrator; recalled as a former railroad opponent who later served Stanford. ### Leland Stanford Mentioned as the one who boasted about the seller 'throwing in' Estee's coffin, and as a 'robber baron' Estee later served. ## Key lines > So, Estee, you are still alive! I thought That you had died and were a blessed ghost. I know at least your coffin once was bought With Railroad money; and ’twas said by most Historians that Stanford made a boast The seller “threw you in.” The narrator expresses surprise that Estee is alive, recalling rumors that his coffin was purchased with railroad funds and that Stanford claimed the seller included Estee for free. _Highlights the theme of corruption and the commodification of a former activist._ > Do you remember, Estee⁠—ah, ’twas long And long ago!⁠—how fierce you grew and hot When anything impeded the straight, strong, Wild sweep of the great billow you had got Atop of, like a swimmer bold? The narrator asks Estee if he recalls his passionate opposition to railroads, comparing him to a bold swimmer riding a wave. _Contrasts Estee's past fervor with his later subservience._ > Then for a time you were content to wade The waters of the “robber barons’ ” moat. To fetch, and carry was your humble trade, And ferry Stanford over in a boat, Well paid if he bestowed the kindly groat And spoke you fair and called you pretty maid. Estee later became a servant to the railroad magnates, ferrying Stanford and accepting small rewards for his loyalty. _Illustrates Estee's fall from principled activism to servile collaboration._ > Strange man! how odd to see you, smug and spruce, There at Chicago, burrowed in a Chair, Not made to measure and a deal too loose, And see you lift your little arm and swear Democracy shall be no more! The narrator finds it bizarre to see Estee at the Chicago convention, sitting awkwardly in a chair and swearing to end democracy. _Satirizes Estee's new political stance as a delegate against democracy._ > Were you elected as a “robber baron,” Or as a Communist whose teeth had hair on? The narrator sarcastically asks whether Estee was elected as a robber baron or as a rough communist. _Highlights the absurdity of Estee's political identity shift._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/a-jack-at-all-views - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters