# XCVII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

The chapter presents a philosophical reflection on the sky as a concave mirror, where humanity perceives a distorted image of itself and attempts to appease it.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Self-Deception

The sky as a concave mirror distorts Man's image, leading to self-deception and attempts to propitiate a false reflection.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator observes the sky as a mirror reflecting humanity's distorted self-image.

## Key lines

> The sky is a concave mirror in which Man sees his own distorted image and seeks to propitiate it.

The sky acts like a curved mirror, reflecting a warped version of humanity, which people then try to appease.

_A metaphorical observation on human perception and the futility of seeking favor from a distorted self-image._

## Links

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