The Devil’s Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce's *The Devil's Dictionary* is a satirical lexicon, a collection of acerbic, often cynical, definitions that invert conventional understanding. From "Acquaintance, n. A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to" to "Logic, n. The art of thinking and reasoning in strict accordance with the limitations and incapacities of the human misunderstanding," Bierce skewers everything from love and politics to religion and journalism. Originally serialized in newspapers, this definitive edition compiles his complete, unvarnished wit, often attributing poetic and dramatic interludes to fictional personae like the prolific Father Gassalasca Jape, a delightful self-referential jest.
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About The Devil’s Dictionary
Chapter Summaries
- Author's Preface
- Bierce explains the origins of The Devil's Dictionary, begun in 1881 and continued until 1906. He discusses the forced title change to 'The Cynic's Word Book' and addresses potential plagiarism concerns.
- A
- Definitions beginning with A, including fundamental concepts like 'Ability,' 'Abnormal,' and 'Absurdity.' Establishes the satirical tone with cynical redefinitions of common terms.
- B
- Continues with B definitions, covering religious terms like 'Baptism' and 'Benedictines,' social concepts like 'Beauty' and 'Beggar,' and includes extended poetic illustrations.
Key Themes
- Cynicism and Satire
- Bierce employs bitter wit to expose human folly, hypocrisy, and self-deception. His definitions consistently reveal the gap between idealistic concepts and harsh realities.
- Religion and Spirituality
- Religious concepts are frequently mocked, with definitions that highlight the contradictions and absurdities Bierce sees in organized religion and spiritual beliefs.
- Politics and Power
- Political terms are defined to expose corruption, self-interest, and the abuse of power. Bierce presents politics as a realm of deception and manipulation.
Characters
- Ambrose Bierce(protagonist)
- The author and compiler of The Devil's Dictionary, a cynical lexicographer who provides sardonic definitions of common words. He presents himself as an enlightened soul who prefers 'dry wines to sweet, sense to sentiment, wit to humor and clean English to slang.'
- Father Gassalasca Jape, S.J.(major)
- A fictional 'learned and ingenious cleric' created by Bierce as the supposed author of many poetic quotations throughout the dictionary. Represents Bierce's satirical view of religious authority and scholarship.
