# LXXXVII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief philosophical dialogue where a weeping figure identifies as 'Man' but is rebuked as 'Egotism' by the personified 'Scheme of the Universe,' who asserts that nothing matters, leading to a paradoxical question about the significance of weeping.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The weeping figure's self-identification as 'Man' is dismissed as 'Egotism,' suggesting a self-deceptive view of one's own significance in the cosmic scheme.

### Mortality and Regret

The dialogue touches on the futility of human emotion (weeping) in the face of an indifferent universe, reflecting themes of mortality and existential regret.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The weeping figure who identifies as 'Man' and is called 'Egotism' by the Scheme of the Universe.

## Key lines

> Who art thou that weepest?

The Scheme of the Universe asks the weeping figure to identify itself.

_Opens the dialogue, challenging the figure's identity and emotional state._

> Man.

The weeping figure responds by claiming to be 'Man,' a universal representation of humanity.

_The figure asserts a broad, collective identity._

> Nay, thou art Egotism. I am the Scheme of the Universe. Study me and learn that nothing matters.

The Scheme of the Universe corrects the figure, calling it 'Egotism,' and declares that in the grand cosmic order, nothing is significant.

_Reveals the theme of cosmic indifference and the self-centered nature of human sorrow._

> Then how does it matter that I weep?

The figure questions the logical consistency of the Scheme's assertion, asking why its weeping would matter if nothing matters.

_Highlights the paradox and the tension between human emotion and cosmic meaninglessness._

## Links

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