# The Humorist explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A child questions their mother about a humorist, who is described as having black hands but a mild heart, a ghastly grin, and suffering from many distresses. The mother explains that the humorist's smile is the outward sign of an internal joke meant for the Saturday Livercomplaint, and that he sweats from demons lurking in the fear of having to work. When asked why he doesn't end his life, the mother replies that the abolition of Hell has deprived him of hope.

## Themes in this chapter

### Mortality and Regret

The humorist's suffering and the contemplation of suicide reflect themes of mortality and regret.

### Deception and Self-Deception

The humorist's ghastly grin as an outward sign of a joke within suggests a facade masking inner pain.

## Key lines

> What is that, mother?

A child asks their mother to identify a figure.

_Opening line introducing the humorist._

> The humorist, child. His hands are black, but his heart is mild.

The mother explains that the humorist appears rough but is gentle inside.

_Describes the humorist's paradoxical nature._

> O, why does he wear such a ghastly grin?

The child asks why the humorist has a frightening smile.

_Highlights the humorist's unsettling expression._

> ’Tis the outward sign of a joke within.

The mother says the grin shows an internal joke.

_Reveals the humorist's hidden humor._

> Will he crack it, mother?

The child asks if the humorist will tell the joke.

_Shows the child's curiosity._

> Not so, my saint; ’Tis meant for the Saturday Livercomplaint.

The mother says the joke is intended for a specific publication.

_References the Saturday Livercomplaint as the joke's target._

> Does he suffer, mother?

The child asks if the humorist is in pain.

_Inquires about the humorist's condition._

> God help him, yes!⁠— A thousand and fifty kinds of distress.

The mother confirms he suffers from many troubles.

_Emphasizes the humorist's extensive suffering._

> What makes him sweat so?

The child asks why the humorist is sweating.

_Questions the physical manifestation of his distress._

> The demons that lurk In the fear of having to go to work.

The mother says his sweat comes from the fear of working.

_Links his anxiety to the prospect of labor._

> Why doesn’t he end, then, his life with a rope?

The child asks why the humorist doesn't commit suicide by hanging.

_Raises the idea of suicide as an escape._

> Abolition of Hell has deprived him of hope.

The mother explains that without the concept of Hell, he has no hope of relief.

_Final line, suggesting that the loss of belief in Hell removes a source of hope._

## Links

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