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{{work}}
{{Infobox book
[[The Confidence Man]] (full title ''The Confidence Man: His Masquerade'') is Herman Melville's last major novel, a satire published on April 1st, 1857. In it, one mysterious man sneaks onto a Mississippi steamboat. He tests the confidence and doubts of the passengers, while conning money off of them one by one through different masquerades. ▼
| title = The Confidence-Man
| original title = The Confidence-Man: His Masquerade
| image =
| caption =
| author = Herman Melville
| central theme =
| elevator pitch =
| genre = Satire, Allegory
| publication date = April 1, 1857
| source page exists =
| wiki URL =
| wiki name =
}}
▲
The novel is a satirical work, and an allegory for the broader aspects of human nature and human identity. It reflects Herman Melville's views on [[Morality Tropes|morality]], [[Religion Tropes|religion]], [[Idealism vs. Cynicism|cynicism]], and other philosophical topics.
It is also notable for being a book dealing with nihilism and existentialism before other 20th century literature.
The full text can be read [http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/MelConf.html
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{{tropelist}}
* [[April Fools' Day]]
* [[The Barnum]]
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* [[Double Meaning Title]]: He's a [[Con Man]], and he tests people's confidence.
* [[The Farmer and the Viper]]: The bitter old cripple holds this attitude of distrust.
* [[Fictional Counterpart|Fictional Counterparts]]: Charlie Noble is based on Nathaniel Hawthorne; Mark Winsome is [[Ralph Waldo Emerson]], and the beggar is [[Edgar Allan Poe]].
* [[Gainax Ending]]
* [[Idealism vs. Cynicism]]: Herman
* [[In Which a Trope Is Described]]:
{{quote|
"{{smallcaps|IN WHICH THE POWERFUL EFFECT OF NATURAL SCENERY IS EVINCED IN THE CASE OF THE MISSOURIAN, WHO, IN VIEW OF THE REGION ROUND-ABOUT CAIRO, HAS A RETURN OF HIS CHILLY FIT.}}"
"{{smallcaps|IN WHICH THE LAST THREE WORDS OF THE LAST CHAPTER ARE MADE THE TEXT OF DISCOURSE, WHICH WILL BE SURE OF RECEIVING MORE OR LESS ATTENTION FROM THOSE READERS WHO DO NOT SKIP IT.}}" }}
* [[Manipulative Bastard]]: The Confidence-man, to a T
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* [[The Philosopher]]
* [[Post Modern]]: Considered by some to be one of the first examples.
* [[The Power of Trust]]: He sees just how ''much'' they will trust.
* [[Satire]]: Melville satirizes 19th century authors by making characters based on them.
* [[Secret Test]]: Each ''conversation'' he has.
* [[The Spook]]: No one knows a thing about his true identity.
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[[Category:Literature]]
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