The Confidence Man (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)

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Places Discussed

Fidèle. Mississippi river steamboat on which the entire novel is set. The Fidèle’s main cabin is a large, opulently appointed room in which passengers spend their time drinking and gambling. Melville seems to use the frivolity of these pastimes as both a commentary upon superficial pleasures and upon the intoxicating, risky nature of financial speculation. At times the unnamed Confidence Man, though considered a criminal, seems to differ from the other passengers only in his superior skill at dissembling and risk- taking. In his guise as Mr....

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