Critical Quotes

Question 1

definition of the confidence-man

Answer 1

“anyone whose profession it is systematically and deliberately to seek the confidence of another or others with the intention of abusing it for financial advantage.”

Bergmann

Question 2

first apparition of the CM

Answer 2

William H. Thompson

8 July 1849 in The NY Herald

Question 3

the CM as nouveau-riche

Answer 3

“His genius has been employed on a small scale in Broadway, theirs [the CMen] has been employed in Wall Street; that’s all the difference.”

The CM on a large scale, NY Herald, 11 July 1849

Question 4

the two phases of the CM

Answer 4

Jonathan Cook argues that in the first half of the novel, the CM is a “predatory deceiver” whereas in the second half he has “a more benevolent, redemptive aspect”

Question 5

Melville et le regard

Answer 5

pour qu’un objet existe chez Melville, il faut qu’un regard l’embrasse

Jaworski