Summary Full text of "The confidence-man: his masquerade" archive.org
101,545 words - html page - View html page
One Line
"The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade" by Herman Melville delves into the complexities of identity and deception within a Mississippi riverboat setting, where characters engage in thought-provoking discussions on happiness, human nature, and the challenges of comprehending others, all while a stranger challenges the concept of "favor" and introduces a character named Eg.
Slides
Slide Presentation (8 slides)
Key Points
- "The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade" by Herman Melville is a novel that explores various characters and their interactions on a boat on the Mississippi.
- The book raises questions about identity and deception.
- The text excerpt contains various chapters from the book, including discussions on the press, investment opportunities, and the story of a gentleman-madman.
- The crowd on the boat mocks a mute stranger who holds up a slate with messages about charity.
- A diverse group of people with different appearances and backgrounds gather on the boat, including a crippled black man who entertains the crowd.
Summaries
38 word summary
"The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade" by Herman Melville explores identity and deception on a boat on the Mississippi. Characters discuss happiness, human nature, and the difficulty of understanding others. The stranger questions the meaning of "favor" and introduces Eg
169 word summary
"The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade" by Herman Melville explores various characters and their interactions on a boat on the Mississippi. The book raises questions about identity and deception. A mute stranger boards the boat and holds up messages about charity, but is
The merchant and his companion discuss the happiness of an unfortunate man before the merchant becomes emotional and decides to leave. The author reflects on the consistency of characters in fiction and the difficulty of understanding human nature. The miser panics when asked for money, cough
The speaker discusses their office, which is based on a new method of studying mankind. They mention studying books and people. The conversation turns to St. Augustine and his admission of being a "sad dog" in his youth. The narrator hesitates to
The excerpt begins with the stranger questioning the meaning of the word "favor" and expressing his distaste for receiving help. He introduces Egbert, a disciple who follows the principles of Mark Winsome, and explains that Egbert's actions reflect the important
3876 word summary
"The confidence-man: his masquerade" by Herman Melville is a novel that explores various characters and their interactions on a boat on the Mississippi. The book raises questions about identity and deception.
Two business men transact business, a man's unfortunate story is told, a traveler shows humanity, investment opportunities are considered, a sick man becomes a patient, forgiveness is shown, the character of the Herb-Doctor is investigated, a soldier of fortune
The text excerpt contains various chapters from the book "The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade." The chapters mentioned include discussions on the press, a surprising metamorphosis, the continuation of music and magicians, the story of a gentleman-madman
A mute stranger boards a steamer and is ignored by the crowd. He holds up a slate with messages about charity. The crowd mocks him and pushes him aside. The stranger moves away and changes his messages. A barber opens his shop on the deck
A diverse group of people with different appearances and backgrounds gather on a boat. Among them is a crippled black man who plays music for the crowd. He reveals that he is homeless and sleeps in a baker's oven. The crowd is entertained by his antics
A crowd questions a black man, asking for proof of his innocence. He claims to have friends on board who can vouch for him. A young clergyman goes to find them. A man with a wooden leg doubts the man's friends exist.
A man encourages others to trust and have confidence in each other. The crowd becomes suspicious of a black man. A merchant shows kindness to the black man. The black man asks for help finding his friends. The crowd disperses, leaving the black man
A man tries to jog another man's memory, but fails. The second man is confused and doesn't recognize the first man. The first man mentions a poor negro who referred to the second man for a character. The second man still doesn't remember
A man recounts a childhood incident where he was kicked by a horse and lost his memory. He relies on his friends' accounts to fill in the gaps. The merchant he is speaking to reveals that he had a brain fever around the same time, causing
A man informs a merchant about an opportunity to invest in a company's shares. The merchant expresses interest but admits he is not familiar with recent fluctuations in the stock market. The man suggests that business could be conducted on board the ship they are on.
A collegian with a book is approached by a man who warns him about the dangers of reading Tacitus. The man argues that Tacitus is moral poison and can lead to cynicism. He advises the collegian to drop Tacitus and instead visit
Classics like Tacitus are dangerous and destroy confidence. The sophomore is fascinated by the stranger. A well-to-do gentleman refuses to give to a Widow and Orphan Asylum. An old gentleman insults the man in gray. The young clergyman seeks
At the last landing, the narrator helped a cripple ashore and mentioned that the cripple has a brother nearby. The young clergyman and the man in gray encounter a wooden-legged man who laughs at them. The wooden-legged man tells a story
The man in gray questions the existence of Guinea and wants to prove the hypothesis wrong. The young clergyman argues that money is not always the motive for deception. The man in gray believes that distrust can be overcome by striving against it. The clergyman
A well-dressed, good-hearted gentleman with clean hands avoids touching anything on a soot-streaked steamboat. He is not a righteous man, but a good one. He gives money to a man in gray who pleads for Semin
A proposal is made to raise a fund of eight hundred million dollars annually for charitable purposes. This would result in a total of eleven thousand two hundred million dollars over fourteen years. The plan is deemed practicable and not burdensome for the population. The
The man proposes sending missionaries to convert the Chinese and provide aid to the poor in London. He believes in the power of world charity and is confident in its success. The man's enthusiasm and audacity are met with skepticism, but he remains determined.
A man asks a woman if she has confidence in him. She hesitates but eventually gives him twenty dollars. He reveals he is a traveling agent for an orphan asylum. Two men discuss a person with a weed who may be disturbed. One of the
The president of the Black Rapids Coal Company asks a collegian if he wants to invest in the company. The collegian asks for more information and is given a transfer-book and a small pamphlet. The collegian questions the president about the stock's
A man offers to help another man by giving him money. They go to a private area and discuss business. The man with the book asks the young gentleman why he is involved in stocks. The young gentleman explains that he learns from experience and speculates
A man approaches another and asks what he has in his hand. The man replies that it is a poem and they discuss its sentiment. The man feels trustful and genial after reading it. They talk about playing cards, drinking wine, and smoking
The good merchant questions the authenticity of a stock transfer-book, but the stranger assures him of his trustworthiness. They engage in friendly conversation and discuss the lack of trust in others. The merchant shares stories of a miser and a negro cripple,
Goneril was a stoic and taciturn woman who took pleasure in causing pain to those around her. She had a peculiar habit of touching young men and seemed to enjoy it. Her husband, unable to bear her behavior, withdrew their child
A savan was surprised to find that the jackanapes he was conversing with was actually Sir Humphrey Davy. The text serves as a reminder not to judge the man with the traveling-cap too quickly. The merchant's story affected the other
The merchant and his companion have a conversation about the happiness of an unfortunate man. They drink champagne and the merchant becomes emotional. The merchant is surprised by his own outburst and decides to leave. The author reflects on the consistency of characters in fiction and
Authors should represent human nature transparently, not obscurely, but the true nature of humanity is difficult to understand. Some inconsistency in characters can be good if it is skillfully unraveled. Despite attempts to understand human nature, there is still much ignorance
The miser panics when asked for money, clutching something out of sight. He coughs violently and wishes for the herb-doctor's medicine. The other person expresses sorrow for the cough and poverty, offering to invest money for treble profits.
The sick man seeks confidence from a stranger and offers gold in return. The stranger refuses and leaves. The sick man calls after him but no one hears. The scene shifts to a man trying to convince the sick man to try his treatment. The sick
Iron is the source of animal invigoration, and the sick man is deficient in iron. The herb-doctor questions if a lifeless nature can be transmitted to the body unchanged. He criticizes the idea that science can create living soil and breathe
The herb-doctor advises the sick man to have confidence in order to regain his health. The sick man questions the ingredients of the medicine and the herb-doctor's confidence in it. The herb-doctor explains that a sick philosopher is incurable because
The herb-doctor sells medicine to a sick man, emphasizing the importance of confidence. He warns the man about counterfeit vials and offers to answer any doubts. The sick man becomes distrustful, but the herb-doctor explains that doubt leads to confidence
A shaggy man and a young girl board a boat. The herb-doctor greets them playfully, but the man remains solemn. The herb-doctor questions the man about a previous encounter, noticing his limp. The man denies being lame
A man is attacked by a giant and the herb-doctor defends him. The herb-doctor calls for trust and compassion. The discussion continues about the herb-doctor's character. The herb-doctor leaves abruptly. A person offers money for charity,
A man is insulted and leaves, while others discuss his character. One person suspects him of being a Jesuit. They encounter a cripple on the boat who is asked to share his story.
The herb-doctor asks the cripple how he achieved his calmness in misfortune and is met with a grin. The cripple claims to be the Happy Bone-setter and wants to tell his story. He introduces himself as Thomas Fry and mentions
During the trial, the narrator saw a man get acquitted and receive a gold watch and chain from his friends. The narrator was then taken to a hospital on Blackwell's Island where he stayed for three years before leaving. He traveled to Indiana to find
The herb-doctor offers a box of liniment to a skeptical man, assuring him it will help. The man asks if it will truly be effective, and the herb-doctor encourages him to try it. The man agrees and asks for three
An old man seeks assistance in finding someone. He believes the person he is looking for is the one he is speaking to. The old man is confused and disoriented. The person he is speaking to confirms that he is the one the old man is
The boat leaves, missing the chance to see Truman. The herb-doctor regrets not introducing Truman to the old man. The old man reveals he has already given Truman some money. The herb-doctor congratulates him and asks for more details. The
An old miser with a bad cough is approached by a man offering medicine. The old man is hesitant but eventually agrees to buy a box for two dollars. He considers buying more to sell at a profit. He questions the naturalness of the medicine and
The miser reluctantly pays the herb-doctor, who examines the coins and criticizes them. The herb-doctor advises the miser to take the medicine at night. A man with a shaggy appearance joins their conversation, questioning the effectiveness of natural remedies
Nature embezzled ten thousand dollars from the narrator, who lost a plantation due to a sudden shift in the banks. The old miser leans on the herb-doctor with trustful fraternity. The herb-doctor takes pride in protecting figures like the
The herb-doctor defends his medicine, arguing that it provides hope to the afflicted. The Missourian criticizes the herb-doctor's honesty and warns of the consequences of speaking too honestly. The old miser interrupts, confused by the conversation. The
The herb-doctor accuses the moderate man of having slave sentiments. The herb-doctor suggests that the moderate man is like a slave. The herb-doctor mentions the back-woods giving the moderate man eccentric notions. The herb-doctor wishes the moderate
The speaker expresses disdain for boys and desires a machine to do his work. He believes machines are more reliable and virtuous than humans. He predicts a future where machines replace workers, including boys. The speaker shares his negative experiences with boys, claiming they
A man describes the suave behavior of a boy who showed great interest in his affairs. The boy neglected to care for the man's horse and stole from him, but remained polite. The man believes that all boys are rascals and that they
The speaker discusses the smallness of boys and their tendency to be rascals. Another person responds with their own views on the subject, focusing on the study of man and the state of boyhood. They argue that boys have potential and should be
The man argues that a child's flaws can be replaced by virtues as they grow. He uses the analogy of a child losing their baby teeth and growing permanent ones. He dismisses the idea that flaws can be inherited. The man defends the use of
The speaker discusses how their office is based on a new method of studying mankind. They mention that this method involves studying all types of books and people. The conversation turns to St. Augustine and his admission of being a "sad dog" in his youth
The narrator hesitates to accept money unless it is given willingly and with confidence. He warns against dismissing someone quickly for temporary faults. The boat is in Cairo, where there are still cases of fever and death. The Missourian is suspicious of a
The stranger's eccentric outfit and demeanor caught the attention of the narrator. The stranger appeared comfortable and at ease, despite his unusual appearance. The narrator engaged in a conversation with the stranger, who identified himself as a cosmopolitan and expressed his love for humanity
A man tells a story about how his wife was cured by drinking Santa Cruz. The bachelor is interested but skeptical. They discuss the importance of enjoying life and the pitfalls of solitude. The man proposes a walk and suggests dancing. The bachelor accuses him of
God defend me from Irony and Satire. Remorse drives man away from man. Humans are social by nature. Let's go to New Orleans and then to London. We'll be brothers, as much as misanthropes can be.
The man's appearance was unprepossessing, but interesting. He was associated with Colonel John Moredock, who had a reputation for hating Indians. The narrator had seen the colonel's rifle as a child and had heard his history
The judge is a patriot who supports free schools. The judge's philosophy is questionable. Indian-hating is a shared passion among the class to which Colonel Moredock belongs. The stranger is paying close attention to the speaker. The judge begins by discussing
Backwoods education instills a deep antipathy towards Indians, teaching stories of their lying, theft, and perfidy. Indians themselves protest against this view, but some acknowledge their race's total depravity. The backwoodsman sees an inconsistency in
The judge speaks about the backwoodsman's feelings towards Indians, noting that his hatred is not just for his own personal experiences but also for the experiences of others. The judge describes the intense hatred and vengeance of an Indian-hater par excellence. He
John, the sole survivor of his family, sought revenge against a group of renegade Indians. He spent years hunting them down and killing them. Despite his violent actions, he was known for his generosity and kindness towards others. John was a skilled athlete
The guest declined the bed due to its association with a general officer. The colonel declined the opportunity to become governor because he would have to make treaties with Indian tribes. Indian-hating involves renouncing ambition and worldly pleasures. The narrator doubts the judge
Can a misanthrope enjoy solitude and have an appetite? The stranger praises mankind and offers friendship. They consider drinking wine together. The stranger sings a song and convinces the cosmopolitan to join him. They introduce themselves and discuss the meaning of
A man defends his trust in wine, despite suspicions of its purity. He criticizes those who doubt the authenticity of wine and accuses them of lacking faith in humanity. He believes that even if wine is fake, it is still better than having no wine
Comparing humor and sting in two cases, one neutralizes while the other leaves it free. Wit's comment on temperance movement. The stranger agrees but doesn't find humor in it. They discuss drinking and a poem in praise of the press.
The cosmopolitan praises the press as an advocate for truth and knowledge, defending it as the "Defender of the Faith." He eagerly awaits Charlie's panegyric. Charlie begins with a poetic eulogy of the press, praising its ability
The stranger offers the protagonist a cigar and they discuss the pleasures of tobacco. The stranger mentions his desire to have a tobacco plant and vine placed on his grave. The protagonist declines another drink but encourages the stranger to continue. They discuss the potential negative effects
The speaker questions the purpose of criticism and argues against the advice of Polonius. They express confusion over Shakespeare's intentions and discuss the character of Autolycus. Autolycus is seen as a rogue who finds success through deceit, which
Autolycus's humor is an exception because it fuels his mischievousness. Polonius is worse than Autolycus. Polonius is vile and senile, while Autolycus is unprepossessing.
Conviviality and geniality are important qualities in human interaction. The word "conviviality" implies living together and drinking together. Bats, although they live together, are not genial souls like humans. It is delightful to think that
In a genialized world, talking of murderers would be as out of place as talking of sinners in a Christianized world. Every blessing comes with some evil. The cosmopolitan suggests that it would be inappropriate for a former hangman to become a
The cosmopolitan and Charlie reconcile after a misunderstanding. The cosmopolitan performs a magic trick. They joke about the situation and decide to continue their conversation. They talk about Charlemont, a gentleman-madman. The narrator addresses the criticism of the
A writer seeks to entertain and please readers, apologizing for any perceived inconsistencies. Charlemont, a once affable and popular merchant, suddenly becomes morose and cuts off his friends. He disappears, leaving behind his property and rumors of suicide.
The auditor questions the truth of a strange story, which the narrator admits is fiction. They discuss the morality of turning away from a penniless friend. The narrator suggests the auditor rest after feeling unwell from drinking an elixir. A stranger warns
The cosmopolitan expresses uneasiness about the idea of accountability in the universe. The stranger questions whether a rattlesnake is accountable, to which the cosmopolitan responds that if it is, it is accountable to something superior. The cosmopolitan then
The stranger questions the meaning of the word "favor" and expresses his distaste for the idea of being done good to. He claims to hold to the concept of metempsychosis and suggests that he may have been the stoic Arrian in
The stranger defends the gentleman's character from unfounded suggestions and changes the subject. He introduces Egbert, a disciple who practiced the principles of Mark Winsome. The stranger explains that Egbert's actions reflect the important parts of his philosophy. The cosm
The disciple becomes more casual and asks the cosmopolitan about his thoughts on Mark. They discuss the concept of sublimity and the disciple's interest in learning more about the philosophy. The cosmopolitan proposes a hypothetical situation where one friend asks another for a
Loans from banks are unfriendly accommodations, as they require security and payment of interest. Borrowing money on interest is only done out of necessity. The lender may auction off the borrower's belongings if they fail to repay. The lender's act of
Our friendship began in boyhood, based on your good manners, handsome dress, and wealthy parents. I chose you as a friend because I believed you would never be in need. I wanted to preserve the delicacy of our connection, as it would
Humanity will continue to value help and postpone a philosophy that banishes it. Charlie refuses a loan due to the experience of China Aster. China Aster, a candle-maker, struggles to make money and is offered a loan by his friend Orchis.
China Aster gives Orchis a note for $1000 on demand, but Orchis tears it up and suggests a note for $1000 at four years. Orchis encourages China Aster to invest in spermaceti and leaves. China Aster encounters two
China Aster has a dream about an angel and decides to wait before seeking Orchis. Old Plain Talk advises him to return the check, but China Aster becomes convinced that the angel's promise of fortune is true. He cashes the check and invests
China Aster's attempt to make candles fails and he is burdened by unpaid interest. Orchis, his old friend, returns and suggests that China Aster mortgage the candlery. China Aster struggles to pay his debts and pawns his belongings. When
China Aster died and Old Plain Talk and Old Prudence mourned him. The widow was left penniless but her children were taken care of by the town. China Aster's tombstone had an inscription written by himself. The inscription caused some controversy but
The text discusses the idea that people can change over time and that their beliefs and opinions are not fixed. The narrator uses the example of accepting a loan from a friend but being unsure if it will eventually end up in the hands of an enemy. They
The protagonist questions the barber's judgment based on appearance and speech, requesting a shave. The barber is confused by the reference to a broker, but agrees to give a shave. The protagonist expresses outrage at a sign that says "No Trust," accusing the
The barber and a stranger discuss trust and honesty. The barber initially argues that he would not trust a stranger, but the stranger points out the contradiction in his beliefs. The barber becomes thoughtful and agrees that strangers should not be trusted. However, the stranger
The barber expresses his distrust of men due to his trade, which allows him to see behind the scenes. The narrator agrees, citing similar sentiments from other professions. The barber argues that any trade or pursuit that brings one into contact with the facts can lead
The cosmopolitan insists on a written agreement, including the security part, for the barber's trust. The barber reluctantly agrees to take down his sign. The cosmopolitan hesitates to put the agreement in writing, wanting to rely on trust instead. They
The barber is asked for money, but refuses because he wants to uphold their contract. The barber tears up the agreement, thinking he will never see the person again. The barber's friends consider the person an original. The concept of original characters in fiction
A good fiction can have new, entertaining, and instructive characters. Original characters come from the author's experiences and luck. The term "Quite an Original" is inappropriate. In the gentlemen's cabin, a solar lamp with a decorative shade illuminates
A man asks about the person describing the confidence-man. The old man anxiously asks if the person really read from the book. The person confirms and expresses disappointment in the passage. The old man examines the book and realizes it is apocrypha
A ragged boy tries to sell a miniature door to an old man. The boy reveals that he sold child's rattles to old bachelors. The old man is intrigued by the boy's wisdom and buys a traveler's lock. The boy
A boy sells a counterfeit detector to an old man, who declines but buys a money-belt. The boy jokes about lying on people's brains and leaves. The old man wonders who the boy's mother is and continues his conversation with another man.
The narrator and an old man discuss a bill that has a hidden image of a goose. The old man can't see it and is advised to throw away the "Detector" that he's been using. The old man then examines a book and comments
The narrator offers the old man a stool for his room, assuring him of its quality. They discuss its construction and the narrator expresses confidence in it. The old man thanks the narrator and they talk about trust in Providence. The narrator mentions the darkness