Short Fiction · Chapter
Diddling Considered as One of the Exact Sciences explained
The narrator defines diddling as a uniquely human activity, breaking it down into nine essential components: minuteness, interest, perseverance, ingenuity, audacity, nonchalance, originality, impertinence, and a private grin.
What happens
The narrator defines diddling as a uniquely human activity, breaking it down into nine essential components: minuteness, interest, perseverance, ingenuity, audacity, nonchalance, originality, impertinence, and a private grin. He illustrates the concept with several anecdotal examples of clever swindles, from a fake shopkeeper selling a sofa to a staged pocketbook discovery on a steamboat, all emphasizing the cunning and self-interest behind the art of the diddle.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Pride
The diddler's self-interest and pride in his craft are central, as he pursues personal gain with audacity and a sense of superiority.
Isolation and Alienation
The diddler's private grin, unseen by others, highlights his solitary enjoyment and emotional detachment from his victims.
Characters to notice
- Unknown Narrator
The narrator defines and analyzes the art of diddling, presenting himself as a philosophical observer of human nature.
Key passages
“Man is an animal that diddles, and there is no animal that diddles but man.”
Humans are uniquely defined by their capacity for trickery and deception.
This line establishes the central thesis that diddling is an essential human trait.
“Your true diddler winds up all with a grin. But this nobody sees but himself.”
The genuine trickster concludes every scheme with a private smile that only he observes.
Highlights the secretive and self-satisfied nature of the diddler's craft.