# CXXXIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief chapter suggesting that taunting an obstinate husband is permissible, comparing it to biting a balky horse's ears to make it move.

## Key lines

> Taunts are allowable in the case of an obstinate husband: balky horses may best be made to go by having their ears bitten.

It is acceptable to use taunts against a stubborn husband, just as biting a horse's ears can motivate it to move.

_The chapter uses a metaphor comparing a stubborn husband to a balky horse, suggesting that harsh words can be an effective motivator._

## Links

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