# Three Candidates for Senator explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A satirical poem skewering political ambition and the absurdity of the senatorial race, using vivid imagery of soap, butter, and a role-reversing rider and beast to mock the candidates and the electorate's confusion.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

The poem mocks the senatorial election process, the candidates' hypocrisy, and the public's confusion, using absurd comparisons like a rider and beast swapping roles.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The advice to use soap to wash hands of ambition and the image of buttering up voters highlight the corrupt and self-serving nature of political ambition.

## Character check-ins

### Estee

Depicted as riding McClure in the senatorial race, embodying the absurdity of the contest.

### Stanford

Referenced in the line 'The Railroad can’t run Stanford,' suggesting his political ambitions are tied to railroad interests.

## Key lines

> To sleek your way to the goal of your hope, O plausible Mr. Perkins, You’ll need ten tons of the softest soap And butter a thousand firkins.

To achieve your political ambitions, you'll need to flatter and bribe extensively.

_Opens the poem with a cynical recipe for political success._

> Gods! what a sight! Astride McClure’s broad back Estee jogs round the Senatorial track, The crowd all undecided, as they pass, Whether to cheer the man or cheer the ass.

The spectacle of Estee riding McClure in the race leaves the crowd unsure whether to applaud the candidate or the beast he rides.

_Highlights the absurdity and confusion of the political contest._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/three-candidates-for-senator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters