Poetry · Chapter
The Saint and the Monk explained
Saint Peter, at Heaven's gate, is initially charmed by a jovial monk who approaches.
What happens
Saint Peter, at Heaven's gate, is initially charmed by a jovial monk who approaches. The saint forgets his stern duties and invites the monk in, but the monk hesitates, asking who else is inside. When Saint Peter explains that Susan B. Anthony and her followers are there due to an unwritten law about women's sin, the monk decides to leave, preferring to go where the pretty women are.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Saint Peter's initial favoritism and the arbitrary, unwritten law about women's sin highlight hypocrisy in divine judgment.
Political Satire
The poem mocks religious authority and gender discrimination, using humor to critique societal norms.
Characters to notice
- Saint Peter
The gatekeeper of Heaven, initially charmed by the monk but then angered by his impudence.
- Playwright Saint Peter
Alternate reference to Saint Peter in this context.
Key passages
“The tools and terrors of his awful trade; The key, the frown as pitiless as night, That slays intending trespassers at sight, And, at his side in easy reach, the curled Interrogation points all ready to be hurled.”
Saint Peter is depicted with the intimidating tools of his job: a key, a stern frown, and curled question marks ready to challenge anyone who tries to enter Heaven uninvited.
Describes Saint Peter's authoritative and fearsome demeanor at Heaven's gate.
“By but one sin has Woman e'er incurred God's wrath. To accuse Them Loud of that would be absurd.”
According to an unwritten heavenly law, women have only committed one sin that angered God, and it would be ridiculous to openly accuse them of it.
Explains the rationale for excluding Susan B. Anthony's followers from Heaven.