# To the Fool-Killer explained — Poetry > Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce. ## What happens The narrator welcomes the Fool-Killer as an old friend and discusses their shared mission of eliminating fools. He lists several types of fools he wishes the Killer would dispatch: those who misuse titles, the overly familiar hand-shaker, and the person who burdens others with unwanted introductions. The narrator expresses a desire for the Fool-Killer to continue his work, ending with a toast to the gods of Gall. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Corruption The narrator criticizes those who misuse titles and engage in insincere social rituals, highlighting societal hypocrisy. ### Deception and Self-Deception The poem targets individuals who deceive others through false titles and unwelcome introductions, as well as the self-deception of the fool who thinks his actions are hospitable. ## Character check-ins ### Unknown The narrator addresses the Fool-Killer directly, expressing a desire for the elimination of various fools. ### John Jackson Mentioned as one of the men incorrectly given the title 'Colonel'. ## Key lines > What have you done since lately at this board We canvassed the deserts of all the horde, And chose what names would please the people best, Engraved on coffin-plates⁠—what bounding breast Would give more satisfaction if at rest? What have you accomplished since we last met and discussed which fools deserved to die? _The narrator asks the Fool-Killer about his recent work in eliminating fools._ > I trust ere next we meet you’ll slay the chap Who calls old Tyler 'Judge' and Merry 'Cap'⁠— Calls John P. Irish 'Colonel' and John P. , Whose surname Jack-son speaks his pedigree, By the same title⁠—men of equal rank Though one is belly all, and one all shank, Showing their several service in the fray: One fought for food and one to get away. I hope you will kill the man who gives false titles to people like Tyler, Merry, and John P. Irish. _The narrator lists specific examples of people misusing titles, satirizing the practice._ > But chief of all the addle-witted crew Conceded by the Hangman’s League to you, The fool (his dam’s acquainted with a knave) Whose fluent pen, of his no-brain the slave, Strews notes of introduction o’er the land And calls it hospitality. The worst fool is the one who writes letters of introduction for everyone, calling it hospitality. _The narrator identifies the most egregious type of fool: the one who burdens others with unwanted introductions._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/to-the-fool-killer - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters