The Cad's Encyclopædia
This satirical work presents a fictional encyclopedia that ridicules the conventions of traditional encyclopedias and societal norms. It contains entries on various subjects, often absurd or humorous, to mock the idea of objective knowledge and authority. The tone is ironic and mocking, challenging readers to question the nature of truth and expertise.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1901 · Genre: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary · 2,165 words
First lines
I have a wealthy friend. He made his money by accident during the war. The Government owed him £500. A careless clerk (who was talking to a minx at the time) added three noughts without thinking, and on his modestly pointing out the error, the department wrote back to say they never made mistakes. And so it rested at that. After long hesitation how to get rid of all this money, he is at last engaged upon what I cannot but think a very useful work. I only wish that every rich man could be inspired by similarly valuable ideas, instead of frittering away money upon buying newspapers and souls and uneatable food in noisy restaurants.
What this Textopian page supports
The Cad's Encyclopædia is listed on Textopian as an essay by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1901 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1901 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Humor, Social Commentary, Fiction, Parody
- Length: 2,165 words
- Structure: 1 section, 20 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Cad's Encyclopædia by Hilaire Belloc
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Cad's Encyclopædia?
- How does this essay by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- One The Illness Of My Muse by Hilaire Belloc
- The Odd People by Hilaire Belloc
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- Opening Ode by James Mcintyre
- How They Struck A Contemporary by Oscar Wilde
Genres
- Satire — The work humorously critiques societal norms and behaviors, particularly focusing on the concept of 'Cads' and their characteristics.
- Humor — The narrative employs wit and comedic elements to entertain while discussing the absurdities of creating an encyclopedia for 'Cads.'
- Social Commentary — The text provides insights into social behaviors and class distinctions, using the idea of 'Cads' to explore broader societal issues.
- Fiction — The story is a fictional account of a wealthy man's endeavor to create an encyclopedia, with imaginative elements and characters.
Tags
Satirical · Humorous · Biographical · Encyclopaedic · Witty · Clever · Irreverent · Sarcastic · Polemical · Historical · Literary · Social Commentary