# Deception and Identity in The Confessions of Arsène Lupin

> Theme guide for The Confessions of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc.

Arsène Lupin constantly adopts disguises and false identities (e.g., as an old half-pay officer, a Russian nobleman, or Horace Velmont), blurring the line between appearance and reality, and using deception as a tool for both crime and justice.

## Where it surfaces

- [I: Two Hundred Thousand Francs Reward!…](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/i-two-hundred-thousand-francs-reward): Lupin disguises his intentions and uses a coded signal, while Baron Repstein is accused of assuming a false identity to commit crimes.
- [II: The Wedding-Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/ii-the-wedding-ring): Lupin impersonates the working jeweller to swap the ring, and Yvonne's secret love for 'Horace Velmont' is revealed.
- [The Sign of the Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/iii-the-sign-of-the-shadow): Lupin disguises himself as Captain Jeanniot to investigate, and the story involves false claims and trickery among the heirs.
- [The Infernal Trap](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/iv-the-infernal-trap): Lupin is trapped through a web of lies and disguises; Mme. Dugrival uses multiple aliases and a fabricated story to ensnare him.
- [V: The Red Silk Scarf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/v-the-red-silk-scarf): Lupin's disguise as a house-painter and his manipulation of Ganimard underscore the theme of deception and hidden identities.
- [Shadowed by Death](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/vi-shadowed-by-death): M. Darcieux deceives everyone about his relationship to Jeanne and his murderous intentions.
- [A Tragedy in the Forest of Morgues](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/vii-a-tragedy-in-the-forest-of-morgues): The identity of the murderer is hidden until Lupin reveals it to be an ape-man, challenging assumptions about human and animal nature.
- [Lupin's Marriage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/viii-lupin-s-marriage): Lupin uses an impostor to pose as d'Emboise, exploiting likeness and disguise to infiltrate the duke's household.
- [The Invisible Prisoner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/ix-the-invisible-prisoner): Lupin disguises himself as a helpful stranger to gain access to the farm and steal the money.
- [Edith Swan-Neck](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/chapters/x-edith-swan-neck): The resemblance between Mme. Sparmiento and the tapestry's Edith Swan-Neck blurs reality and art, hinting at hidden identities and deception.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/themes/deception_and_identity
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_confessions_of_ars_ne_lupin_se/themes