# Another Aspirant explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The poem warns George Dewey against pursuing Miss Columbia, citing the failed romantic and political pursuits of McKinley, Bryan, and Teddy Roosevelt, and ultimately advising him to set sail again.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

The poem satirizes the courtship of political power, personifying the nation as Miss Columbia and mocking the ambitions of Dewey, McKinley, Bryan, and Roosevelt.

### Deception and Self-Deception

Warns of Miss Columbia's deceptive nature, describing her as 'Satan's daughter with a breast of brass,' and cautions against self-deception in political pursuit.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator addresses George Dewey directly, offering cautionary advice.

### George Perry

Referenced as George Dewey, the naval hero and aspirant to political favor.

## Key lines

> George Dewey, dear, I did not think that you— So very married and so happy, too— Would go philandering with another girl

I didn't expect you, George Dewey, to be unfaithful to your wife by flirting with another woman.

_The narrator expresses surprise at Dewey's political ambition, framing it as romantic infidelity._

> She’s no fool mermaid with a comb and glass, But Satan’s daughter with a breast of brass.

She is not a naive seductress but a cunning and unyielding figure of evil.

_Miss Columbia is portrayed as a dangerous, deceptive entity rather than a harmless temptress._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/another-aspirant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters