# After Portsmouth explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The Tsar, amidst the destruction of war, laments the lack of joy in life and the denial of release in death, while criticizing Roosevelt's notion of peace.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The Tsar's cry suggests a cynical view of peace as a hollow construct imposed by Roosevelt.

### Mortality and Regret

The Tsar's lament that 'death denies release' reflects a deep despair and regret over life's suffering.

## Key lines

> Life withholds joy and death denies release!

Life offers no happiness, and death does not provide an escape.

_The Tsar expresses existential despair._

> And Roosevelt would have me think this peace.

Roosevelt tries to convince me that this is peace.

_The Tsar scoffs at the peace brokered by Roosevelt._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/after-portsmouth
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters