Auguste Dupin: Guilt Or Sacrifice?

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C. Auguste Dupin labels himself as a highly intelligent human being who will solve mysteries using his moral compass. While I agree that Dupin is a mastermind and is able to outwit the police and the perpetrators. I do not believe that he is fueled by the desire to bring evildoers to justice. Dupin is a man of logic and this is what pushes him forward through multiple short stories. However, he goes about solving these mysteries in a childish manner. Similar to an adolescent he views each unknown situation as if it were a game he can win or a riddle to solve. So, while the end result is assisting the police in an investigation, it is obvious Dupin’s focus is elsewhere. It appears as if he is more fixated on winning rather than bringing anyone …show more content…

A mother and daughter are killed and dismembered. Nonetheless, Dupin seems to only be focused on solving the mystery of who murdered the victims. He goes as far to say that he thinks of the murders as a game. Dupin is a player versing the perpetrator and he will only find enjoyment from winning. This is his sole focus on solving the mystery. “I am satisfied with having defeated him in his own castle” (Poe, 270). There is no talk of justice when the perpetrator is revealed. There is no mourning or sympathy for the victims on Dupin’s part. There is only the narrator watching in astonishment as Dupin revels in his intellectual abilities.
“The Purloined Letter” is the third short story in which Dupin is the main protagonist. The basic premise of this story mimics that of “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”. There is a crime, a stolen letter and a perpetrator that must be brought to justice. Poe makes a point to mention, yet again that the police are too dimwitted to solve the case. Only Dupin can solve the problem and be the ultimate game winner. But, as the story progresses, we discover that the wrongdoer is an acquaintance of Dupin and quickly the tale goes off the beaten …show more content…

Auguste Dupin is a genius. Yet, his claims of acting out for the greater good and helping his fellow man are heavily skewed. While there may be part of Dupin, who wants to do what is right. The majority of his characteristics comes from the desire to solve problems and answer questions for his own personal gain. Dupin enjoys astonishing the narrator in any way that he can. As this is where he finds enjoyment in life. He finds entertainment in outwitting every other character in each story. Whether it is his friends, the police or his “opponent” he wants to be one step ahead of everybody. Not because it will help those around him. But, rather it will always ensure that he is a winner. Which in the end, is all that really matters to the detective C. Auguste

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