# CCLII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief poetic plea to the oceans to carry the narrator to a remote island where he can escape the deceit and emotional turmoil symbolized by women, while also asking not to bring a particular woman who shows no emotion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator fears the hidden dangers in women's smiles and tears, reflecting a theme of deception.

### Nature and Artifice

The contrast between the natural ocean and the artificial, deceptive human emotions is central to the poem.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator speaks in first person, pleading with the oceans for escape.

## Key lines

> Bear me, good oceans, to some isle Where I may never fear The snake alurk in woman’s smile, The tiger in her tear.

Carry me, kind oceans, to an island where I won't have to dread the hidden deceit in a woman's smile or the ferocity in her tears.

_The narrator seeks refuge from perceived female duplicity._

> Yet bear not with me her, O deeps, Who never smiles and never weeps.

But do not bring along that woman, O seas, who shows no emotion at all.

_The narrator also rejects a woman who is emotionally unresponsive._

## Links

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