Poetry · Chapter
Another Plan explained
Editor Owen, weary of writing unread work, dreams of an angel who advises him to abandon the pen and take up lecturing.
What happens
Editor Owen, weary of writing unread work, dreams of an angel who advises him to abandon the pen and take up lecturing. Owen agrees, but the angel departs pained. Owen then spends his years speaking to empty halls.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Criticism
The chapter critiques the futility of creative work that goes unappreciated, and the ironic shift to lecturing that also fails to attract an audience.
Characters to notice
- Editor Owen
The protagonist of the chapter, a weary editor who dreams of an angel and decides to switch from writing to lecturing.
Key passages
“Editor Owen, of San Jose, Commonly known as 'our friend J. J.,' Weary of scribbling for daily bread, Weary of writing what nobody read, Slept one day at his desk and dreamed That an angel before him stood and beamed”
Editor Owen, a tired journalist from San Jose, falls asleep at his desk and dreams of a compassionate angel visiting him.
Introduces the protagonist and the dream sequence that drives the chapter's action.
“Editor Owen, of San Jose, Commonly known as 'our friend J. J.,' Scribbling no more to supply his needs, Weary of writing what nobody reads. Passes of life each golden year Speaking what nobody comes to hear.”
Owen stops writing for a living and instead spends his years giving lectures that no one attends.
Concludes the chapter with the ironic outcome of Owen's new plan.