# Charles and Peter explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

Charles A. Dana rises from the dead on Judgment Day and flies to Heaven, where he finds Saint Peter asleep at the gate. Dana insists on entering but is dissatisfied with Heaven's lack of Hell, claiming he would find it boring. Peter reluctantly lets him in, noting that Dana would create a hell wherever he goes.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

Dana uses a card to gain entry to Heaven, and Peter's claim that Heaven has no Hell is contradicted by his final remark about Dana creating hell.

## Character check-ins

### Charles A. Dana

Rises from the deepest grave on Judgment Day and flies to Heaven, where he negotiates entry with Saint Peter.

### Saint Peter

Found asleep at the Gates of Light; reluctantly admits Dana after being handed a card, but warns that Dana will make a hell wherever he goes.

## Key lines

> The dead in Christ rise first, ’tis writ,” Quoth he⁠—“ick, bick, ban, doe⁠—I’m It!”

Citing scripture, Dana declares himself the first to rise, using a children's counting rhyme to claim his place.

_Dana's irreverent use of a nursery rhyme underscores his playful yet self-important character._

> On earth I played it, o’er and o’er, And Heaven without it were a bore.” “O, stuff!⁠—come in. You’ll make,” said Pete, “A hell where’er you set your feet.”

Dana says he needs Hell for entertainment; Peter retorts that Dana himself creates hell wherever he goes.

_Highlights the theme of deception and self-deception, as Dana's desire for conflict contrasts with Heaven's peace._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/charles-and-peter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters