I loved reading the Devil's Dictionary! You know it doesn't get any juicier than when the introduction to reading something tells you to proceed at your own risk because the material consists of racist, sexist, nationalist and offensive information. The title Devil's Dictionary was said to be used because there were so many other works being published at the time that were seen as "cynical", which was used in the original title or the writing. I like the latter title better because I think that it portrays Ambrose Bierce's conveying message throughout his work. I personally believe that Bierce was trying to play devil's advocate, not only for personal amusement, but to get people to think, to really really think. Playing the devil's advocate entails someone stating an opposing viewpoint, even though they know it is wrong or controversial, to get people to argue against it, to be appalled by it, and to get them to counter-argue it knowing what is right. I believe this was Bierce's intention, I do not believe that he was being a sexist pig, a racist bigot or an anarchist. He may have been doing it for a bit of fun, but I do believe for the most part, he was trying to get people to realize how the world was with all the wrongs in it, and this was his way to start to get poeple to try to do something right. However, he may not have expected people to start movements, but to get them to change their personal views and morals.
This is how I viewed reading the Devil's Dictionary, let me know what you all think of my interpretation!
Hey,
I liked how you expressed your views about the Devil's Dictionary. However, I feel that he was created the words base off how society was back then or at least the things that were happening in society.
Posted by: Se-Ann Williams at November 30, 2004 07:01 PM