# Understated explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter opens with a quote from Upton Sinclair expressing regret over marriage, calling it a devilish device and delusion, and the narrator adds that it is even worse because it is lawful.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Communication

The quote from Upton Sinclair reflects a cynical view of marriage, touching on the theme of love and communication by highlighting the disillusionment and regret within the conjugal relationship.

## Key lines

> I’m sorry I married, says Upton Sinclair: The conjugal status is awful!⁠— The devil’s device, a delusion and snare. Worse, far worse than that⁠—it is lawful!

Upton Sinclair expresses regret for marrying, calling marriage a terrible, devilish trick and a deceptive trap, and the narrator adds that the worst part is that it is legal.

_The narrator amplifies Sinclair's critique of marriage by emphasizing its legality as an additional condemnation._

## Links

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