# The Shafter Shafted explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The narrator addresses James McMillan Shafter, a former judge, criticizing his hypocrisy in vilifying the press while seeking its support as a political candidate. The narrator argues that not all judges are respectable, implying corruption among them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

Shafter's condemnation of the press while using it for political gain highlights hypocrisy, and the narrator implies corruption among judges.

### Political Satire

The poem satirizes the double standards and self-serving behavior of political figures like Shafter.

## Character check-ins

### James McMillan Shafter

Addressed directly as a former judge who criticizes the press but seeks its favor when campaigning.

## Key lines

> Being a Judge, ’tis natural and wrong That you should vilify the public press⁠— Save while you are a candidate.

As a judge, it's both expected and improper for you to attack the press, except when you're running for office.

_Highlights Shafter's hypocrisy in criticizing the press only to seek its endorsement during elections._

> For some of them are rogues and the Lord’s laughter’s Directed at some others, for they’re Shafters.

Some judges are dishonest, and divine mockery falls on others simply because they are Shafters.

_Implies that Shafter and his ilk are corrupt and deserving of ridicule._

## Links

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