The Purloined Letter Power Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)

Quote #4

This functionary grasped it in a perfect agony of joy, opened it with a trembling hand, cast a rapid glance at its contents, and then, scrambling and struggling to the door, rushed at length unceremoniously from the room and from the house. (88)

When Dupin gives G— the letter, a transfer of power takes places. G— now has the power to claim his reward and win the royal lady's eternal gratitude; or he can use it to blackmail her, just like D— was doing. As soon as G— gives up the letter, he gives up the power.

Quote #5

"And the identification," I said, "of the reasoner's intellect with that of his opponent depends, if I understand you aright, upon the accuracy with which the opponent's intellect is admeasured." (97)

The narrator is reiterating Dupin's idea that, the more accurately you can measure another person's intelligence against your own, the more power you have over that person. This is interesting because it doesn't say that whoever is smarter has the most power. Nope, you can be way stupider and still win. So long as you know they are smarter, you can always anticipate their moves. (But doesn't that end up making you smarter?)

Quote #6

"I protracted my visit as long as possible, and while I maintained a most animated discussion with the Minister upon a topic which I knew well had never failed to interest and excite him" (116)

Hey, Shmoopers, want to win friends and influence people (and also skip reading an entire book telling you how to do that)? Talk about things that the other person is interested in.