The Devil’s Dictionary · Chapter
C explained
This chapter presents a series of satirical definitions for words beginning with the letter C, including Caaba, Cabbage, Calamity, Callous, Calumnus, Camel, Cannibal, Cannon, Canonicals, Capital, Capital Punishment, Carmelite, Carnivorous,
What happens
This chapter presents a series of satirical definitions for words beginning with the letter C, including Caaba, Cabbage, Calamity, Callous, Calumnus, Camel, Cannibal, Cannon, Canonicals, Capital, Capital Punishment, Carmelite, Carnivorous, Cartesian, Cat, Caviler, Cemetery, Cenobite, Centaur, Cerberus, Childhood, Christian, Circus, Clairvoyant, Clarinet, Clergyman, Clio, Clock, Convent, Conversation, Coronation, Corporal, Corporation, Corsair, Court Fool, Coward, Craft, Crayfish, Creditor, Cremona, Critic, Cross, Cui Bono?, Cunning, Cupid, Curiosity, and Curse. The definitions are laced with irony and social commentary, often targeting religion, politics, human folly, and societal institutions.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Duplicity
Evident in definitions like 'Christian' (one who follows Christ only when convenient) and 'Cemetery' (where mourners match lies).
Critique of Religion
Prominent in entries such as 'Christian', 'Clergyman', 'Cross', and 'Carmelite', which mock religious piety and institutions.
Human Folly and Self-Deception
Highlighted in definitions like 'Crayfish' (wisdom only after folly) and 'Curiosity' (an objectionable quality of the female mind).
Politics and Power
Addressed in entries such as 'Coronation' (divine right to be blown up) and 'Corporation' (profit without responsibility).
Characters to notice
- Father Gassalasca Jape
Quoted in the definition of 'Cross' with a poem about the White Cross.
- Zeno
Referenced in the definition of 'Callous' for his reaction to an enemy's death.
- Christ
Appears in the poem within the definition of 'Christian' as a figure rejecting the label.
- Cabagius
Mentioned in the definition of 'Cabbage' as a prince who appointed cabbages to his High Council.
- Clio
Defined as one of the nine Muses presiding over history.
- Death
Appears in the poem within the definition of 'Carmelite' as a character who gives a monk a ride.
Key passages
“Cogito cogito ergo cogito sum —“I think that I think, therefore I think that I am;” as close an approach to certainty as any philosopher has yet made.”
Descartes' famous statement is parodied to suggest that thinking about thinking is the only certainty we can achieve.
This appears in the definition of 'Cartesian' and critiques philosophical certainty.
“Christian One who believes that the New Testament is a divinely inspired book admirably suited to the spiritual needs of his neighbor. One who follows the teachings of Christ in so far as they are not inconsistent with a life of sin.”
A Christian is defined as someone who thinks the Bible is for others and follows Christ only when it doesn't interfere with their own sinful behavior.
This definition satirizes religious hypocrisy.
“Corporation An ingenious device for obtaining individual profit without individual responsibility.”
A corporation is a clever way to make money personally while avoiding personal accountability.
This critiques the structure of corporate capitalism.
“Crayfish ...the wisdom of man doth not enable him to avoid the follies that beset his course, but only to apprehend their nature afterward.”
Human wisdom does not prevent mistakes but only allows us to understand them after they happen.
This reflects on human folly and self-deception.
