Poetry · Chapter
The American Party explained
A satirical poem addressing Marcus D.
What happens
A satirical poem addressing Marcus D. Boruck, who joined a small political party (the American Party) with Pixley, hoping to advance himself, but now faces betrayal as enough Irish members have joined to oust him. The speaker sympathizes with Boruck's misfortune, noting that neither Republicans nor Democrats will accept him.
Themes in this chapter
Political Satire
The poem mocks the opportunism and instability of third-party politics, using dialect and irony to critique Boruck's failed ambition.
Deception and Self-Deception
Boruck joined the party not to serve it but to make it serve him, a self-deceptive strategy that backfires.
Characters to notice
- Mark Boruck
Addressed directly as 'Marcus D. Boruck'; portrayed as a man who joined a party for self-interest and is now being cast out.
- Frank Pixley
Mentioned as the other member of the party, referred to as 'Pixley' and compared to a kite that would sail.
Key passages
“Oh, Marcus D. Boruck, me hearty, I sympathize wid ye, poor lad! A man that’s shot out of his party Is mighty onlucky, bedad!”
The speaker expresses sympathy for Boruck, who has been expelled from his party and is now unlucky.
Opening lines establish the poem's sympathetic yet mocking tone.
“For ye j’ined not intendin’ to sarve it, But hopin’ to make it sarve you, Though the roll of its members wuz two.”
Boruck joined the party not to support it but to use it for his own benefit, even though it had only two members.
Highlights Boruck's self-serving motives and the party's initial insignificance.
“But the party to-day has behind it A powerful backin’, I’m told; For just enough Irish have j’ined it (An’ I’m m’anin’ to be enrolled) To kick ye out into the cold.”
The party now has strong support because enough Irish members have joined, and they plan to expel Boruck.
Reveals the ironic reversal: the party grows by including those Boruck likely opposed.