# To an Aspirant explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A satirical poem attacking Mike de Young's political aspirations, highlighting his corrupt background and unsuitability for the Senate.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The poem accuses Mike de Young of being corrupt, with crimson hands and a black heart, unfit for the Senate.

### Political Satire

The entire poem is a satirical attack on a political aspirant, mocking his background and character.

## Character check-ins

### Mike de Young

Target of the poem's attack, described as corrupt and unfit for the Senate.

## Key lines

> What! you a Senator?⁠—you, Mike de Young? Still reeking of the gutter whence you sprung?

Are you, Mike de Young, really aspiring to be a Senator, despite your lowly and corrupt origins?

_Opens with a direct challenge to de Young's suitability for high office._

> So black their hearts, so lily-white their livers⁠— The toga’s touch would give a man the shivers!

With such evil hearts and cowardly natures, even wearing the senatorial toga would be terrifying.

_Concludes by emphasizing the moral and physical unfitness of such a person for the Senate._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-an-aspirant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters