The Devil’s Dictionary · Character
Old Paunchinello
A gluttonous newlywed immortalized in verse, whose devotion to the table d'hôte exposes the gap between marital vows and the appetites that actually govern men.
supporting
Also known as your
First appearance: the devil s dictionary
As a supporting figure in The Devil’s Dictionary, Old Paunchinello is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.
Appears in the poem under 'Table d'Hôte', freshly wed and greedily eating.
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Old Paunchinello appears in the Dictionary's illustrative verses as a freshly wed husband who takes his bride straight to the table and feeds 'as fast as he was able.' His oblivious cry of 'I dote upon good grub'…
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The fuller portrait of Old Paunchinello sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.
See Old Paunchinello in the devil s dictionaryCharacter Web
6 connectionsA slice of how Old Paunchinello sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.
Relationship types
- Other
Character groups
- Diverse satirical cast
- Recurring definitional figures
- Protagonist
+1 more in the full Character Web
Open in readerNarrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional/psychological peak occurs in the "Ultimatum" entry, where the Turkish Ministry’s elaborate, hype…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingIn the story
Old Paunchinello appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.
Chapter companion notes
Spoil-light check-ins for Old Paunchinello unlock in the free preview.
See Old Paunchinello in the devil s dictionary