# Uncoloneled explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter discusses the resignation of Colonel Mark McDonald amid ominous signs of war with Mexico, suggesting his premonition of conflict and his aspiration for a commission in the G.A.R.

## Themes in this chapter

### Political Satire

Satirizes the resignation of Colonel Mark McDonald and the political maneuvering for military commissions.

## Character check-ins

### The Lost Colonel

Implied reference to Colonel Mark McDonald, who resigns and aspires to join the G.A.R.

## Key lines

> Though war-signs fail in time of peace, they say, Two awful portents gloom the public mind: All Mexico is arming for the fray, And Colonel Mark McDonald has resigned!

Even in peacetime, ominous signs appear: Mexico prepares for war, and Colonel Mark McDonald resigns.

_Sets up the chapter's central conflict and the colonel's controversial resignation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/uncoloneled
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters