『사기꾼』에 나타난 인간의 이성과 허구
Human Logos and Fiction in The Confidence Man
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This paper aims to explore the significance of human logos and fiction in The Confidence Man. It may be said that almost all of Melville’s works are based on truth-seeking. However, this is complicated by Melville’s skepticism about human logos’s ability to seek truth. Given his skepticism about the effectiveness of human reason, he explores confidence tricks, deception, gullibility, greed, etc. According to Melville, deception and confidence play a significant role in our lives. This is the reason why Melville depicts the reality of various types of con men. Through the panoramic view of the 19th century American society, Melville attempts to portray Americans’ morality and doesn’t shy away from exploring its more hypocritical aspects. By underscoring the trust inherent in fiction between the writer and the reader, Melville seems to hold up his imaginative freedom to intellectual analysis. In so doing, Melville suggests that when human society is full of interactions of confidence and distrust, humans are forced to live with both charity and hatred. In short, Melville views American society or universal world as both noble and foolish. In addition, Melville suggests that human love is a necessary for the kind of nurturing and trust required to recognize humanity. Melville’s thoughts on human trust reveal his trust of God, of human logos, and of his own authorship. Therefore, Melville urges us towards compassion and sympathy even if they must coexist with misanthrophy, human distrust, and infidelity.
Abstract
This paper aims to explore the significance of human logos and fiction in The Confidence Man. It may be said that almost all of Melville’s works are based on truth-seeking. However, this is complicated by Melville’s skepticism about human logos’s ability to seek truth. Given his skepticism about the effectiveness of human reason, he explores confidence tricks, deception, gullibility, greed, etc. According to Melville, deception and confidence play a significant role in our lives. This is the reason why Melville depicts the reality of various types of con men. Through the panoramic view of the 19th century American society, Melville attempts to portray Americans’ morality and doesn’t shy away from exploring its more hypocritical aspects. By underscoring the trust inherent in fiction between the writer and the reader, Melville seems to hold up his imaginative freedom to intellectual analysis. In so doing, Melville suggests that when human society is full of interactions of confidence and distrust, humans are forced to live with both charity and hatred. In short, Melville views American society or universal world as both noble and foolish. In addition, Melville suggests that human love is a necessary for the kind of nurturing and trust required to recognize humanity. Melville’s thoughts on human trust reveal his trust of God, of human logos, and of his own authorship. Therefore, Melville urges us towards compassion and sympathy even if they must coexist with misanthrophy, human distrust, and infidelity.
참고문헌 (13)
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