# Robert F. Morrow explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator addresses Robert F. Morrow, a stranger and foe, expressing a paradoxical and intense desire to embrace him despite his lack of tenderness, wit, and social disgrace. The poem culminates in a declaration of love and a dark pun on being a 'Rope' as a Valentine.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The narrator's passionate embrace of a 'stranger and a foe' suggests a self-deceptive or ironic twist on affection, masking darker motives.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker of the poem, expressing conflicted affection toward Robert F. Morrow.

## Key lines

> Dear man! although a stranger and a foe To soft affection’s humanizing glow; Although untaught how manly hearts may throb With more desires than the desire to rob; Although as void of tenderness as wit, And owning nothing soft but Maurice Schmitt; Although polluted, shunned and in disgrace, You fill me with a passion to embrace!

Despite being a stranger and enemy, lacking in tenderness and wit, and being shunned and disgraced, you inspire in me a strong urge to embrace you.

_The narrator lists Morrow's negative traits before declaring an inexplicable passion._

> Lord of my love, and idol of my hope, You are my Valentine, and I’m A Rope.

You are the master of my affection and the object of my aspirations; you are my Valentine, and I am a rope.

_The final line puns on 'A Rope' as a homophone for 'a rope,' suggesting hanging or bondage, subverting the Valentine's Day sentiment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/robert-f-morrow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters