The Dupe by Hilaire Belloc (1909)
This novel tells the story of a young man who becomes infatuated with a woman and decides to marry her despite knowing she is already engaged to another man. The narrative explores themes of love, deception, and social class through the protagonist's actions and their consequences.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1909 · Genre: Satire, Political Commentary, Social Criticism · 1,133 words
First lines
The Dupe is an honest creature, and such honesty is the noblest work of God. The Dupe is not the servant of the Knave, but his ally. The Dupe does not, as too simple a political philosophy would have it, serve only for a material on which the Knave shall work; he is also the moral support of the Knave, strengthening and comforting the Knave's most inward soul and lending lubrication to the friction of public falsehood. For the Knave is of many sorts, and the Dupe helps them all.
What this Textopian page supports
The Dupe is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1909 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1909 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Political Commentary, Social Criticism, Philosophical Fiction, Allegory
- Length: 1,133 words
- Structure: 1 section, 11 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Dupe 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 Dupe?
- How does this short story by Hilaire Belloc fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Al Wukala Or The Lawyers by Hilaire Belloc
- Pernicious Peaches by Oliver Herford
- The Tank by Oliver Herford
- A Little Talk About Mobs by O. Henry
- Alcibiades J Skinner by Oliver Herford
- A Sure Method by O. Henry
Genres
- Satire — The text employs irony and humor to critique human behavior, particularly the relationship between the Dupe and the Knave.
- Political Commentary — The narrative explores themes of political manipulation and the dynamics between leaders and followers.
- Social Criticism — The work examines societal structures and the roles individuals play within them, highlighting the gullibility of the masses.
- Philosophical Fiction — The text delves into philosophical questions about human nature, morality, and the essence of honesty.
Tags
Satire · Social Commentary · Fiction · Novel · Comedy · Farce · Mystery · Plot Twist · Deception · Manipulation · Gullibility · Naivety