# Rejected explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A darkly humorous poem describing the death of Dr. Charles O'Donnell, whose coffin is sent to Hell but rejected by Old Nick as unwanted 'rubbish' sent C.O.D.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Regret

The poem deals with death and the afterlife, portraying a soul rejected even by Hell

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The bureaucratic and transactional nature of the afterlife (C.O.D. shipping) satirizes institutional corruption

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Charles O'Donnell

Deceased doctor whose coffin is sent to Hell

### Old Nick

Satan who rejects the coffin sent C.O.D.

## Key lines

> When Dr. Charles O’Donnell died They sank a box with him inside.

Upon Dr. Charles O'Donnell's death, his body was placed in a coffin and buried.

_Opening lines establishing the death and burial_

> Ten million million leagues it fell, Alighting at the gate of Hell.

The coffin fell an unimaginable distance until it reached the entrance of Hell.

_Hyperbolic description of the coffin's journey to the underworld_

> Nick looked upon it with surprise, A night-storm darkening his eyes. “They’ve sent this rubbish, C.O.D. ⁠— I’ll never pay a cent!” said he.

Satan was astonished and angered, refusing to accept the coffin sent collect on delivery.

_Climax where Old Nick rejects the shipment_

## Links

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