# XXI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief epitaph for Judge Sawyer, who could not be removed from power by the people, only by death itself.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Corruption

The judge's clinging to power despite the people's attempts to remove him suggests corruption or entrenched authority.

### Mortality and Regret

Death alone could remove the judge from the bench, highlighting the finality of mortality.

## Character check-ins

### The Judge

Judge Sawyer, a figure clinging to the bench, removed only by death.

## Key lines

> Judge Sawyer, whom in vain the people tried To push from power, here is laid aside. Death only from the bench could ever start That clinging surface, his immortal part.

The people tried in vain to remove Judge Sawyer from power; only death could pry him from the bench, ending his mortal tenure.

_Epitaph emphasizing the judge's stubborn hold on power and death's ultimate authority._

## Links

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