Chapter 18 Summary

Sunset Gun is a series of short poems by Parker. The overall feeling is one of humor, quiet, and bright observation. There is a section of poems about other writers, including, Shelley, Keats, Byron, Dickens, Sand, Dumas, Wilde, and many more. The poems tend to fall into one of two categories, either that of praise or criticism. Parker thinks highly of Harriet Beecher Stowe but has little good to say about Alfred, Lord Tennyson, whom she finds monotonous. The poems segue into verses about other people but ones who are not famous, such as a merry maid.

There are poems that are more cheerful than usual, such as The Red Dress, in which Parker dreams of owning a red satin gown. Even the brightest poems contain an element of sadness although not regarding death.

Chapter 18 Analysis

Sunset Gun shows the lighter side of...