Poetry · Chapter
In His Hand explained
A satirical poem recounting the story of De Young, who boldly confronts the blind, man-eating Buckley to demand a fair ballot count.
What happens
A satirical poem recounting the story of De Young, who boldly confronts the blind, man-eating Buckley to demand a fair ballot count. The poem celebrates De Young's triumph in a corrupt political campaign, suggesting his life is spared to atone for his sins, and ends with an ironic image of his hand washed with cologne.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The poem satirizes the corrupt and violent nature of political campaigns, with hyperbolic imagery of battlefields and dead reputations.
Hypocrisy and Corruption
De Young's demand for fair counting is undercut by the poem's depiction of his own use of 'deadlier lies' and the corruption of the electoral process.
Characters to notice
- De Young
The gallant protagonist who takes his life in his hand to demand fair ballot counting from Buckley.
- Mike de Young
Referenced as the triumphant figure in the political campaign, whose enemies' characters are left bloated on the war-plain.
Key passages
“Count fairly the ballots! so rang the demand Of the gallant De Young, with his life in his hand.”
De Young bravely demanded an honest vote count, risking his life.
Highlights the central confrontation and the stakes of the political struggle.
“His life has been spared, for his sins to atone, And the hand that he took it in washed with cologne.”
De Young survives to repent for his wrongdoings, and the hand he risked is now cleaned with cologne.
Ironic conclusion suggesting a superficial cleansing of guilt after a corrupt victory.