# CCXXX explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A voluptuary's soul seeks entry to a place, believing all beautiful women are there. Satan grants entry, remarking that the women make the place what it is.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The voluptuary's desire is based on a superficial notion of beauty, and Satan's remark suggests a deeper, possibly ironic truth about the nature of the place.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Satan

Grants entry to the voluptuary's soul and comments on the women.

## Key lines

> "I wish to enter," said the soul of the voluptuary. "I am told that all the beautiful women are here." "Enter," said Satan, and the soul of the voluptuary passed in. "They make the place what it is," added Satan, as the gates clanged.

A pleasure-seeker's soul asks to be let in, having heard that all beautiful women are inside. Satan allows him in, then notes that the women are what define the place.

_The exchange highlights the voluptuary's shallow motivation and Satan's wry commentary._

## Links

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