Poetry · Chapter
Theosophistry explained
The narrator launches a satirical poetic attack on a Theosophist named Anderson, mocking the belief in reincarnation and the idea that modern individuals are reincarnations of ancient Egyptian figures.
What happens
The narrator launches a satirical poetic attack on a Theosophist named Anderson, mocking the belief in reincarnation and the idea that modern individuals are reincarnations of ancient Egyptian figures. The narrator dismisses the Theosophist's claims as foolish, using humor and irony to express personal relief through the act of verbal abuse.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
The narrator accuses the Theosophist of self-deception, believing in reincarnation without evidence, and uses satire to expose what he sees as foolishness.
Political Satire
The poem is a satirical critique of Theosophical beliefs, using mockery and irony to undermine the credibility of the movement and its followers.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator delivers a sarcastic and confrontational poem directed at a Theosophist, expressing disbelief and mockery toward reincarnation beliefs.
- Anderson
A Theosophist who claims that many people lived in ancient Egypt and are reincarnated; the narrator directly addresses and ridicules him.
Key passages
“Among the many that exist In modern halls. Some lived in ancient Egypt’s clime, And in their childhood saw the prime Of Karnak’s walls.”
Anderson claims that many people alive today once lived in ancient Egypt and witnessed the glory of Karnak's temples.
The narrator quotes Anderson's Theosophical claim to set up the poem's rebuttal.
“My judgment is, the Holy Cat Mews through your larynx (and your hat) These many years.”
I believe that the spirit of the sacred Egyptian cat is speaking through your voice and even your hat.
The narrator humorously suggests that Anderson is a vessel for an ancient cat deity, mocking reincarnation.
“And though Reincarnation prove A creed too stubborn to remove, And all your school Of Theosophs I cannot scare— All the more earnestly I swear That you’re a fool!”
Even if reincarnation is a belief too strong to shake, and I can't frighten all your fellow Theosophists, I still insist that you are a fool.
The narrator admits the difficulty of disproving Theosophy but doubles down on his personal insult.