Poetry · Chapter
The Subdued Editor explained
Pixley, the editor, is chewing tobacco and imagining it as the blood of Pope Leo XIII.
What happens
Pixley, the editor, is chewing tobacco and imagining it as the blood of Pope Leo XIII. A cheerful, curly-haired youth arrives and announces himself as the devil. Despite Pixley's claims of independence, the devil takes a seat and begins to inspire him, reducing the once-bold editor to a sweating, helpless state.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Corruption
Pixley's claim of running an independent paper is undercut by his submission to the devil's inspiration, highlighting the corruption behind editorial bravado.
Deception and Self-Deception
Pixley believes himself bold and free, but is easily subdued by the devil, revealing his self-deception about his own autonomy.
Characters to notice
- Frank Pixley
The editor, described as 'Pope-eater Pixley,' chewing tobacco and imagining it as Papal blood, then subdued by the devil.
- Jack Satan
The devil, appearing as a sunny, curly-haired youth, who comes to 'inspire' Pixley and reduce him to a sweating, helpless state.
Key passages
“The amber which overflew from the cud Like rivers which burst out of bounds— ’Twas peculiar pleasant to think it blood A-gushin’ from Papal wounds.”
The tobacco juice overflowing from his chew was like a river bursting its banks, and he found it oddly pleasant to imagine it as blood gushing from the wounds of the Pope.
Highlights Pixley's anti-Catholic sentiment and his delight in violent imagery.
“All unavailin’ his struggles be, And it’s, O, a weepin’ sight To see a great editor, bold and free, Reducted to sech a plight!”
His struggles are useless, and it's a pitiful sight to see a once-great and independent editor reduced to such a miserable state.
Emphasizes the theme of corruption and the loss of editorial independence.