Poetry · Chapter
XXXIV explained
A satirical epitaph contrasts Deacon Fitch, who prepared pitch, with Sammy, who applied it hot, suggesting their graves are indistinguishable by smell.
What happens
A satirical epitaph contrasts Deacon Fitch, who prepared pitch, with Sammy, who applied it hot, suggesting their graves are indistinguishable by smell. The poem imagines the Deacon's tomb bursting first, allowing him to reclaim his proper bones and then pocket Sammy's remains.
Themes in this chapter
Mortality and Regret
The epitaph dwells on death, graves, and the mixing of remains, highlighting the absurdity and finality of mortality.
Hypocrisy and Corruption
The indistinguishable smell of the graves and the Deacon's act of pocketing Sammy's bones suggest moral decay and the corruption of the dead.
Characters to notice
- Deacon Fitch
The deacon whose business was to melt pitch; his grave is the first to burst.
- Sam Chamberlain
Sammy, who applied the hot pitch; his remains are to be pocketed by the Deacon.
Key passages
“Here lies the last of Deacon Fitch, Whose business was to melt the pitch.”
This grave contains the remains of Deacon Fitch, whose job was to melt pitch.
Introduces the Deacon's occupation and his final resting place.
“Convenient to this sacred spot Lies Sammy, who applied it, hot.”
Nearby lies Sammy, who applied the pitch while it was still hot.
Establishes the proximity and complementary roles of the two figures.
“But when his tomb the Deacon’s burst (Of two he’ll always be the first) He’ll see by studying the stones That he’s obtained his proper bones, Then, seeking Sammy’s vault, unlock it, And put that person in his pocket.”
When the Deacon's tomb breaks open (he will always be the first of the two), he will examine the gravestones to confirm he has his own bones, then open Sammy's tomb and take Sammy's remains into his pocket.
Describes the imagined posthumous event where the Deacon reclaims his own bones and collects Sammy's.