The Devil’s Dictionary · Chapter
G explained
This chapter presents a series of cynical definitions for words beginning with the letter G, including Gallows, Gargoyle, Garter, Genealogy, Generous, Genteel, Geographer, Geology, Ghost, Ghoul, Grapeshot, Grave, Gravitation, Great, Guillot
What happens
This chapter presents a series of cynical definitions for words beginning with the letter G, including Gallows, Gargoyle, Garter, Genealogy, Generous, Genteel, Geographer, Geology, Ghost, Ghoul, Grapeshot, Grave, Gravitation, Great, Guillotine, and Gunpowder. The definitions are laced with satire, dark humor, and social commentary, often targeting religion, politics, human folly, and the absurdities of language and science.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Duplicity
The definition of 'Generous' highlights the shift from noble birth to noble nature, satirizing social pretension.
Critique of Religion
The definition of 'Gargoyle' mocks ecclesiastical structures and the use of gargoyles to caricature heretics.
Human Folly and Self-Deception
The definition of 'Ghost' debunks belief in ghosts by pointing out logical inconsistencies, and 'Gravitation' satirizes circular reasoning in science.
War and Violence
The definition of 'Gunpowder' describes it as an agency for settling disputes, and 'Grapeshot' is called an argument against Socialism.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
The narrator presents the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.
- Father Gassalasca Jape
Referenced in the definition of 'Gallows' through a quoted old play.
- Death
Mentioned in the definition of 'Genteel' as the author of a verse.
- James F. Bowman
Referenced as the author of a verse in the definition of 'Ghost' under the pseudonym Jared Macphester.
- Andrew Carnegie
Mentioned in the definition of 'Gunpowder' in the context of the anecdote about the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Rev. John Satan
Referenced in the definition of 'Gunpowder' as the inventor of gunpowder according to Milton.
- Homer
Mentioned in the definition of 'Grapeshot' in a verse praising wine.
- Shakespeare
Referenced in the definition of 'Ghost' through the phrase 'in his habit as he lived.'
Key passages
“Gallows A stage for the performance of miracle plays, in which the leading actor is translated to heaven.”
The gallows is a platform for religious dramas where the main performer is executed and sent to heaven.
Bitterly ironic definition equating execution with theatrical performance.
“Gargoyle A rain-spout projecting from the eaves of medieval buildings, commonly fashioned into a grotesque caricature of some personal enemy of the architect or owner of the building.”
A gargoyle is a decorative waterspout on old buildings, often carved to look like a caricature of someone the builder disliked.
Satirizes the use of church architecture for personal vendettas.
“Ghost The outward and visible sign of an inward fear.”
A ghost is an external manifestation of an internal fear.
Redefines ghosts as psychological projections rather than supernatural entities.
“Gunpowder An agency employed by civilized nations for the settlement of disputes which might become troublesome if left unadjusted.”
Gunpowder is a tool used by civilized countries to resolve conflicts that could otherwise become problematic.
Sarcastic commentary on the use of violence in diplomacy.
“Gravitation The tendency of all bodies to approach one another with a strength proportioned to the quantity of matter they contain—the quantity of matter they contain being ascertained by the strength of their tendency to approach one another.”
Gravitation is the force that makes objects move toward each other, with the force depending on their mass, but mass is measured by that same force.
Highlights circular reasoning in scientific definitions.
