# Unknown — The Devil’s Dictionary character guide

> Unknown in The Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** me, myself, mine, Myself, Ye

**First appearance:** 0001-the-devil-s-dictionary

## Snapshot

The dry, first-person intelligence behind the Dictionary, defining the world with a straight face while quietly dismantling every pious platitude it touches.

## Who they are

This narrator speaks as 'I' and 'me' throughout the definitions, a cynic who prefers dry wines to sweet, sense to sentiment, and wit to humor. He is indebted to Father Gassalasca Jape for illustrative verses yet insists on his own guiltless authorship after imitators flooded the market with 'cynic' books. His running voice is the book's spine: each entry is a small trap for the reader's assumptions, and his composure under absurdity is what makes the satire land.

## In the story

### [The Devil's Dictionary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/the-devil-s-dictionary)

The narrator presents the definitions with a cynical, omniscient voice.

### [A](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/a)

The narrator presents the definitions with a cynical and detached voice.

### [B](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/b)

The narrator of the definitions and poems, providing cynical commentary.

### [D](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/d)

Pliny is referenced in the definition of 'Druids' for his account of their religion spreading eastward.

### [F](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/f)

The narrator of the introductory poem on Folly and the voice behind the definitions.

### [G](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/g)

The narrator presents the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [H](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/h)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/i)

The narrator and author of the dictionary, who uses 'I' and reflects on the self.

### [J](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/j)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [K](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/k)

The lexicographer who provides definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/l)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [M](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/m)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [O](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/o)

The narrator provides cynical definitions throughout the chapter.

### [Q](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/q)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [R](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/r)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [T](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/t)

The narrator of the definitions, providing commentary and verse.

### [U](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/u)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/v)

The narrator provides the definitions and commentary throughout the chapter.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/x)

The narrator defines the letter X and its uses.

### [Y](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/chapters/y)

The narrator presents definitions and poetic excerpts.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/characters/unknown_narrator
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_devil_s_dictionary_se/characters