The Devil's Dictionary

Ambrose Gwinnett BierceProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.3

Word count: 358K words
Chapters: 36

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Devil's Dictionary by Ambrose BierceAuthor: Bierce, Ambrose, 1842-1914?,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jul 1, 1997

Editor's review

The Devil's Dictionary is a satirical work by the American writer Ambrose Bierce, written in dictionary form, arranged by entry and redefining common words with irony, mockery, and even biting definitions, aiming at human weaknesses, social customs, and the hypocrisy of politics and religion. It is not a reference book for consultation but a collection of satirical literature to be dipped into at random—sharp, cold, and often marked by black humor. As a public-domain electronic text, the main barrier to reading lies in language and cultural context: many entries depend on nineteenth-century American social context and English puns, and literal translation easily loses the wit; a Chinese translation with notes or reading against the English original is recommended. Suitable for readers who like short, pithy, self-contained satirical writing, and also as material for writing and translation studies. One should not expect systematic knowledge or a continuous narrative; it is better suited to fragmentary moments—laughing as you flip through, and thinking as you laugh.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy satirical literature and black humor and appreciate short, sharp, entry-style writing
Readers interested in English-language puns and nineteenth-century American society and culture
Writing or translation enthusiasts who can use it as material for ironic rhetoric and language play
Readers who need fragmented reading and wish to dip into short texts at random

Not a good fit for

Dictionary users seeking systematic knowledge or accurate word definitions
Readers who prefer continuous narrative and complete plots
Readers who are sensitive to sarcastic or mocking expression and easily feel uncomfortable

Reading tips

You need not read it in order; flip through entries at will according to interest, reading a few at a time.
Read against the English original and notice how puns and irony are transferred or lost in translation.
Keep a notebook to record memorable entries and try imitating one or two as writing practice.
Read alongside background material on nineteenth-century American society to understand the specific targets of the satire.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Can this book be used as an ordinary dictionary to look up word meanings?

No. It borrows the dictionary's format, but the entries are satirical redefinitions with strong irony and subjective judgment, not objective definitions. Using it as a reference book to look up words will yield misleading results; it should be read as satirical literature.

What if I don't understand the satire in it?

The wit of many entries depends on nineteenth-century American social context, political figures, and English puns, and it is indeed hard to understand without that background. It is advisable to choose an annotated edition, or first learn about Bierce's life and the social conditions of the time; you can also read the English original first to appreciate the gap between the literal meaning and the implied meaning.

Is it suitable to read it all at once?

Not really. There is no continuous plot between entries, and reading it straight through can easily become tiring because the satirical devices repeat. A better approach is to flip through it in fragmented moments, reading a few entries at a time, which keeps it fresh and makes it easier to savor the wit of each definition.

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About the author

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce Author · American · 1842–1914

Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914), an American writer, journalist, and satirical novelist, was born in Meigs County, Ohio. A veteran of the American Civil War, he drew heavily on that experience in his fiction. His short story "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" is known for its startling ending and austere style, while the satirical dictionary "The Devil's Dictionary" is famous for its biting definitions. He excelled in horror and war fiction, writing in a grim, restrained, and ironic style that earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce." He disappeared in Mexico in 1913, and the exact year of his death is unknown, though some sources give 1914. His work has deeply influenced American short fiction and satirical literature.