# Hell explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator dies and descends into what he initially believes to be a beautiful, pleasant afterlife, only to discover that the presence of a detested figure, John P. Irish, reveals the true nature of his eternal torment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator is deceived by the pleasant appearance of Hell, only to realize the true torment lies in the company of John P. Irish.

### Political Satire

The inclusion of John P. Irish, a contemporary political figure, satirizes the idea that personal animosities define one's afterlife.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator dies, descends for twenty centuries, and arrives in Hell, initially mistaking it for a glorified Earth.

### John Jackson

Mentioned as John P. Irish, whose presence in the pleasant landscape reveals it to be Hell.

## Key lines

> Full twenty centuries I fell, And then alighted. “Here you dwell For aye,” a Voice cried⁠—“this is Hell!”

After falling for two thousand years, the narrator lands and is told by a voice that he is in Hell forever.

_Describes the narrator's descent and arrival in Hell._

> “Ah, no, this is not Hell,” I cried; “The preachers ne’er so greatly lied, This is Earth’s spirit glorified! ... “Good souls do not in Hades dwell, And, look, there’s John P. Irish!” “Well,” The Voice said, “that’s what makes it Hell.”

The narrator initially thinks the pleasant landscape is a glorified Earth, but the voice explains that the presence of John P. Irish is what makes it Hell.

_Reveals the satirical twist that Hell is defined by the company of a despised person._

## Links

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