Deception is most successful when there is a grain of truth blended into the lie. If a large portion of the facts of a lie is perceived as true (or thought to be valid), individuals are more likely to explain away any inconsistencies as they emerge. In a way, individuals are blinded by the deception. Science writer Maria Konnikova notes “We con ourselves as much as [conartists] con us, because we supply the missing links, we tell ourselves the story that we want to hear,” (Hutson, 2016). Con artists use this strategy to mislead and cheat individuals to gain what they want; be it possessions, money or power. The most effective liars are those who seem to be trustworthy. The most effective liar of all is the Devil, the master of deception. The
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Hopewell and Hulga. He carefully uses plain words and country phrasing to present himself as a country boy. He explains to Mrs. Hopewell that he is from “… around Willohobie, not even from a place, just from near a place," (page 5). Manley uses his persona as a country boy to gain the trust of Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell. He is able to talk his way into a dinner invitation using his country charm. Manley by all accounts seems to fit Mrs. Hopewell’s definition of “good country people”: trustworthy, upstanding and moral. Manley Pointer’s deception includes acting “simple” so Hulga believes she is smarter than he is. Hulga blinded by his deception and is convinced she is intellectually superior to him. She fantasizes about seducing Manley in an effort to prove he is inferior. It is yet another aspect of his persona of being “good country people”. He purposely acts uncomplicated, unintelligent, and generally inferior, (Shmoop Editorial …show more content…
Manley Pointer knows he is a heathen and what he is doing is unscrupulous and misleading. When his trick is uncovered, Manley Pointer comments to Hulga "I hope you don't think … that I believe in that crap [the Bible]! I may sell Bibles, but I know which end is up and I wasn't born yesterday and I know where I'm going!" (page 13). He never was what she thought he was, he was assuming a part to mislead her. His deceitfulness is clear to Hulga and she shouts, "You're a fine Christian! You're just like them all -- say one thing and do another. . ." (page 13). This is precisely the point. Manley Pointer is so deceptive; he assumes a character in each town. He acknowledges his deed when he says, “And you needn't to think you'll catch me because Pointer ain't really my name.” (page 13). Hulga watches in humiliation as Manley leaves and takes her leg with him, “scooping it up like a trophy, packing it in his case, and declaring in a careless aside that he once carried away a woman’s glass eye.” (Glasserman). In this single degrading act of thievery, Manley Pointer reveals his true character: the persona of the Devil. “Hulga has now been
Hopewell and Hulga. He carefully uses plain words and country phrasing to present himself as a country boy. He explains to Mrs. Hopewell that he is from “… around Willohobie, not even from a place, just from near a place," (page 5). Manley uses his persona as a country boy to gain the trust of Hulga and Mrs. Hopewell. He is able to talk his way into a dinner invitation using his country charm. Manley by all accounts seems to fit Mrs. Hopewell’s definition of “good country people”: trustworthy, upstanding and moral. Manley Pointer’s deception includes acting “simple” so Hulga believes she is smarter than he is. Hulga blinded by his deception and is convinced she is intellectually superior to him. She fantasizes about seducing Manley in an effort to prove he is inferior. It is yet another aspect of his persona of being “good country people”. He purposely acts uncomplicated, unintelligent, and generally inferior, (Shmoop Editorial …show more content…
Manley Pointer knows he is a heathen and what he is doing is unscrupulous and misleading. When his trick is uncovered, Manley Pointer comments to Hulga "I hope you don't think … that I believe in that crap [the Bible]! I may sell Bibles, but I know which end is up and I wasn't born yesterday and I know where I'm going!" (page 13). He never was what she thought he was, he was assuming a part to mislead her. His deceitfulness is clear to Hulga and she shouts, "You're a fine Christian! You're just like them all -- say one thing and do another. . ." (page 13). This is precisely the point. Manley Pointer is so deceptive; he assumes a character in each town. He acknowledges his deed when he says, “And you needn't to think you'll catch me because Pointer ain't really my name.” (page 13). Hulga watches in humiliation as Manley leaves and takes her leg with him, “scooping it up like a trophy, packing it in his case, and declaring in a careless aside that he once carried away a woman’s glass eye.” (Glasserman). In this single degrading act of thievery, Manley Pointer reveals his true character: the persona of the Devil. “Hulga has now been