# Incivism explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter critiques the hypocrisy of politicians who condemn a citizen for not participating in their schemes, revealing that their real motive is to exploit him financially regardless of which faction succeeds.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Politicians publicly decry the citizen's lack of civic duty while privately plotting to deplete his purse, exposing their self-serving corruption.

### Political Satire

The poem satirizes political factions that demand participation only to exploit the citizen, indifferent to which side wins as long as they share the spoils.

## Key lines

> He’s no good citizen! the crowd Of politicians cries aloud.

A group of politicians publicly declares that a man is not a good citizen.

_Opens with the accusation of incivism by the political crowd._

> while we deplete his purse Some air contentedly he hums, Or twiddles his incivic thumbs.

While they drain his money, he remains indifferent, humming or idly fidgeting.

_Describes the citizen's passive response to being exploited._

> It matters not whose hand unsacks His shekels, for we all go snacks.

It doesn't matter which faction robs him, because they all share the loot.

_Reveals the politicians' true motive: they all benefit from the citizen's exploitation._

## Links

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