# XXXVIII explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief epitaph-like chapter warns a stranger to step lightly, as Jerome B. Cox is once again in a bad situation after killing a man, with the labor party's reaction demonstrating the consequences of killing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Revenge

The labor party's response to the killing shows how collective justice or revenge operates.

## Character check-ins

### Jerome B. Cox

The subject of the epitaph, who has killed a man and is in a bad box for the second time.

## Key lines

> Step lightly, stranger: here Jerome B. Cox Is for the second time in a bad box. He killed a man⁠—the labor party rose And showed him by its love how killing goes.

Tread carefully, passerby: Jerome B. Cox is once again in serious trouble. He committed murder, and the labor party's reaction demonstrated the consequences of such an act.

_The chapter serves as a warning and commentary on the repercussions of violence._

## Links

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