# Aspirants Three explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

Three dead politicians—De Young, Estee, and Swift—meet in a graveyard to duel for a cabinet position but instead form a 'Portfolio Trust' to divide the spoils. After a supernatural visitation by the Spirit of Broken Hopes, they wake from a dream and each resolves to reform, though Estee remains trapped in his corrupt identity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

The entire chapter is a satirical allegory of political ambition, corruption, and the absurdity of office-seeking among the dead.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The characters' willingness to form a 'Portfolio Trust' and their self-serving justifications highlight the hypocrisy and corruption in politics.

### Deception and Self-Deception

Each character deceives themselves about their reformations, especially Estee, who remains trapped in his identity despite the dream.

## Character check-ins

### De Young

A dead politician who initially chooses the War Department, then reforms after a prophetic dream, vowing to withdraw from politics.

### Estee

A rival politician who rises from his tomb to fight De Young, eventually accepting the Interior portfolio, but remains unable to escape his corrupt nature.

### Swift

A third aspirant who brokers the Portfolio Trust, claims a diplomatic role, and later reforms by vowing to buy offices honestly.

### The Spirit of Broken Hopes

A supernatural figure who appears with a troupe of coffins and puts the three aspirants to sleep, symbolizing the futility of their ambitions.

## Key lines

> Let us establish a Portfolio Trust.

The three politicians agree to divide government positions among themselves rather than compete.

_Highlights the corrupt practice of collusion in political appointments._

> Now that I'm good, it will no longer do / To make a third with such a wicked two.

Swift decides to separate himself from the others after his reformation.

_Shows the superficial nature of their moral awakenings._

> My curst identity's confining skin / Nor lets me out nor tolerates me in.

Estee laments being trapped in his own corrupt nature, unable to change.

_Emphasizes the theme of self-deception and the inescapability of one's character._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/aspirants-three
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters