# Indicted explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator addresses Bruner, criticizing his moral and legal transgressions, comparing his difficult path to biblical and literary references, and warning him of impending imprisonment.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The chapter criticizes Bruner's moral walk and law-protected game of taking another's dollar, highlighting corruption.

### Justice and Revenge

The warning of prison and the turnkey suggests impending justice or revenge for Bruner's actions.

## Character check-ins

### Great Gorham

Quoted as having said of Pixley that the prison yawns before him and the turnkey stalks behind.

### Pixley Pasha

Referenced in a quote by George Gorham about facing prison.

## Key lines

> Dear Bruner, once we had a little talk (That is to say, ’twas I did all the talking) About the manner of your moral walk: How devious the trail you made in stalking, On level ground, your law-protected game⁠— “Another’s Dollar” is, I think, its name.

The narrator recalls a one-sided conversation with Bruner about his unethical behavior, specifically his legal but morally questionable pursuit of others' money.

_Establishes the theme of corruption and the narrator's accusatory tone._

> As once George Gorham said of Pixley, so I say of you: “The prison yawns before you, The turnkey stalks behind!”

The narrator applies a quote originally about Pixley to Bruner, warning that imprisonment is imminent.

_Connects Bruner's fate to a known figure's past warning, emphasizing the threat of justice._

## Links

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