# To the Bartholdi Statue explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A satirical poem addressing the Statue of Liberty, questioning the true nature of liberty and justice in America, and critiquing the hypocrisy of political and economic systems.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

The poem satirizes the ideal of liberty, portraying the Statue of Liberty as an incendiary figure whose torch proclaims the end of law, and questions the absence of revolutionary tools like dynamite and halters.

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The speaker contrasts the statue's proclaimed liberty with its historical use of violence and oppression, suggesting that America's salute to liberty is merely a preparation to 'disgorge' wealth.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker of the poem, addressing the Statue of Liberty with ironic reverence.

## Key lines

> O Liberty, God-gifted— Young and immortal maid— In your high hand uplifted, The torch declares your trade.

The speaker addresses Liberty as a divine, eternal figure, but implies that her torch advertises a violent trade.

_Sets up the ironic tone of the poem._

> Its crimson menace, flaming Upon the sea and shore, Is, trumpet-like, proclaiming That Law shall be no more.

The red glow of the torch threatens to abolish all law.

_Highlights the subversion of the statue's intended symbolism._

> America salutes you— Preparing to 'disgorge.' Take everything that suits you, And marry Henry George.

America welcomes the statue while ready to give up its wealth, and suggests a union with the reformer Henry George.

_Ends with a satirical call for economic redistribution._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-the-bartholdi-statue
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters