# J explained — The Devil’s Dictionary

> Chapter companion for The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

This chapter presents definitions for words beginning with the letter J, including humorous and satirical entries on the letter J itself, jealousy, jesters, Jews-harps, joss-sticks, and justice, often critiquing human folly, religion, and social institutions.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Duplicity

The definition of 'Jester' and the accompanying poem expose the hypocrisy of kings and the church, as the queen's love for a fool is deemed unlawful yet is resolved by a decree of nobility.

### Critique of Religion

The entry on 'Joss-Sticks' mocks Chinese religious practices as 'pagan tomfoolery' while ironically comparing them to Christian rites, and the poem criticizes the Pope's power to damn.

### Human Folly and Self-Deception

The definition of 'Jealous' suggests that jealousy is irrational, and the jester's role highlights the folly of those in power who fail to see their own ridiculousness.

### Politics and Power

The poem illustrates how political power (making a fool a duke) is used to circumvent religious and moral laws, and 'Justice' is described as a commodity sold by the state.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### Father Gassalasca Jape

Referenced indirectly as the source of the poem about the widow-queen of Portugal and her jester.

### The Dullards

Implied as the audience for the jester's jokes in the circus.

## Key lines

> J J is a consonant in English, but some nations use it as a vowel⁠—than which nothing could be more absurd.

The letter J is a consonant in English, but some languages treat it as a vowel, which is utterly ridiculous.

_Bierce mocks linguistic variation with characteristic sarcasm._

> Jealous Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.

Jealousy is an excessive worry about keeping something that is only lost if it wasn't valuable anyway.

_A cynical redefinition of jealousy as irrational possessiveness._

> Justice A commodity which in a more or less adulterated condition the State sells to the citizen as a reward for his allegiance, taxes and personal service.

Justice is a product, often diluted, that the government sells to citizens in exchange for their loyalty, taxes, and service.

_Bierce critiques the transactional nature of justice under state authority._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/j
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters