Poetry · Chapter
In Upper San Francisco explained
The narrator arrives in Heaven, expecting a bright and fair place free of politicians, but finds it neglected and corrupt.
What happens
The narrator arrives in Heaven, expecting a bright and fair place free of politicians, but finds it neglected and corrupt. The Tree of Life has been stripped by Durst and Siebe, the golden pavement stolen by Gilleran, and even Satan has left on strike, disgusted by the influx of priests and parsons.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Heaven is depicted as corrupt, with officials stealing the Tree of Life and golden pavement, mirroring earthly political scandals.
Political Satire
The chapter satirizes municipal corruption by transplanting it into Heaven, with characters like Gilleran as head of the Street Department.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator wakes from death and enters Heaven, observing its decay.
- Saint Peter
Referenced as the gatekeeper who eyes the narrator sharply.
Key passages
“In Upper San Francisco I heard that Heaven was bright and fair, And politicians dwelt not there.”
The narrator had heard that Heaven was beautiful and free of politicians.
Sets up the ironic contrast with the corrupt reality.
“This is the Tree of Life. ’Twas stripped By Durst and Siebe, who have shipped The bark across the Jordan—see?— And sold it to a tannery.”
The Tree of Life has been stripped of its bark by Durst and Siebe, who sold it to a tannery.
Highlights the corruption in Heaven.
“We had him, yes, but off he went, Yet showed some purpose to repent; But since your priests and parsons filled The place with those their preaching killed— He swears his foot no more shall press Our soil—’tis cloven, though, I guess.”
Satan left Heaven because it became filled with the souls of those killed by priests' preaching, and he refuses to return.
Satirizes religious hypocrisy.