# An Alibi explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A famous journalist is caught and jailed for an unspecified crime, sparking a public and media frenzy. The trial is a farce of corruption and hypocrisy, with the judge admitting both sides have bribed him, the jury composed of biased and incompetent men, and witnesses coached. As the defense lawyer delivers a lengthy oration, the prisoner escapes and sends a Negro impersonator to take his place. The lawyer then attempts to prove a novel 'alibi'—not that the client was elsewhere at the time of the crime, but that he is not currently present in the court.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The trial is a farce where the judge admits to bribery, the jury is biased, and the journalist's own paper secretly supports him while publicly condemning him.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The journalist claims innocence while having built a career on accusing others; the court is deceived by the impersonator; the lawyer's 'alibi' is a clever trick.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator recounts the satirical tale of a journalist's trial and escape.

### The Judge

Presides over the trial, admits to being bribed by both sides, and displays biased rulings.

### Saint Peter

Mentioned in the context of angels mourning the perjured testimony.

## Key lines

> Vox populi vox Dei, said The jailer.

The jailer quotes the saying 'the voice of the people is the voice of God.'

_Highlights the theme of public opinion being treated as divine truth._

> It happens—as, indeed, it ought— Both sides with equal sums have bought My favor: I can try the cause Impartially.

The judge admits he has been bribed equally by both sides, so he can be impartial.

_Satirizes judicial corruption and the absurdity of impartiality based on equal bribery._

> My alibi's another kind Of alibi—I'll make it clear, Your Honor, that he isn't here.

The lawyer argues a different kind of alibi: not that the client was elsewhere during the crime, but that he is not present in court now.

_The punchline of the poem, revealing the trick of the impersonator._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/an-alibi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters