The Man in Black – Oliver Goldsmith
Prof. Suresh M Hosamani
Department of English
K.S.S Arts ,Commerce & Science College
Gadag
📘 The Man in Black – Oliver Goldsmith
📖 About the Author: Oliver Goldsmith (1728–1774)
Oliver Goldsmith was an Anglo-Irish novelist, playwright, essayist, and poet of the 18th
century. Known for his elegant prose, humor, moral vision, and satirical insight, his most
notable works include:
The Vicar of Wakefield (novel)
She Stoops to Conquer (play)
The Deserted Village (poem)
Goldsmith's writings often explore social hypocrisy, human compassion, and class
inequality.
📝 Overview of “The Man in Black”
“The Man in Black” is a prose essay that appeared in The Citizen of the World, a collection of
letters written in the persona of a Chinese philosopher named Lien Chi Altangi, who observes
English society from an outsider’s perspective.
Genre: Satirical Essay / Character Sketch
Form: First-person narrative (from the Chinese traveler’s point of view)
Tone: Ironic, sympathetic, observant
📚 Summary of the Essay
💡 Brief Plot Summary:
The narrator introduces The Man in Black, a peculiar character who appears to be a cynic and
a grumbler, harshly critical of society and its failings. He speaks as if he despises the poor
and mocks acts of charity. However, as the essay progresses, it becomes clear that his actions
contradict his words. Despite his bitter speech, the Man in Black secretly helps the poor, aids
beggars, and shows immense compassion.
Paradox: He criticizes charity in public, yet performs it in secret.
The narrator follows him to understand his behavior and eventually uncovers the hidden
kindness of this enigmatic man.
Detailed Thematic Analysis
1. 🔍 Hypocrisy vs Sincerity
The Man in Black outwardly criticizes beggars and acts of charity, but his private
actions reveal true sincerity and compassion.
This reversal critiques performative morality and elevates genuine empathy over
public virtue.
2. ⚖️ Social Critique and Class Division
The essay exposes deep inequalities in 18th-century England.
Goldsmith highlights the prejudice against the poor and mocks the indifference of
the wealthy elite.
3. 🕊️ Virtue in Disguise
The Man in Black becomes a symbol of unrecognized virtue.
His deliberate rudeness and irony are defensive tools to avoid flattery and to deflect
attention from his good deeds.
4. Satire of English Society
Goldsmith uses satire to expose the contradictions in society: public charity is often
self-serving, while private acts of kindness go unnoticed.
The narrator's foreign origin (Chinese philosopher) allows Goldsmith to critically
observe British customs from a removed perspective.
🎭 Character Study: The Man in Black
Aspect Details
Always dressed in black, symbolizing seriousness, sorrow,
Appearance
or humility
Speech Harsh, ironic, cynical – criticizes society and charity
Aspect Details
Kind, generous, secretly helps the poor, gives money to
Behavior
beggars, rescues the helpless
Represents unacknowledged virtue, and genuine moral
Symbolism
action without the need for recognition
“He is a misanthrope by words, but a philanthropist by deed.”
✍️ Literary Style & Techniques
Irony & Paradox: The central irony of a man who says one thing and does another
reveals deeper truths about social norms.
Character Sketch: Goldsmith uses detailed observation and subtle humor to build the
character.
Dramatic Contrast: Speech vs action is used to highlight social hypocrisy.
Empathy through Satire: Goldsmith criticizes society but evokes sympathy for his
central character.
Framed Narrative: Told through the foreign traveler’s eyes, giving an outsider's lens
to British social issues.
🏛️ Historical & Social Context
18th-century Britain experienced:
Sharp class divisions
Rise of urban poverty
Charitable societies that often engaged in token philanthropy
Goldsmith was deeply empathetic toward the poor and skeptical of institutional charity,
believing that private goodness was more meaningful.
📌 Moral & Philosophical Implications
Actions matter more than appearances.
True goodness does not seek reward or recognition.
Society often fails to understand or value silent virtue.
Satirical works can effectively highlight real social injustice by wrapping critique in
humor and narrative.
💬 Important Quotations (with Analysis)
1. “He spoke of charity as a duty no man ought to practice openly.”
👉 Suggests the Man believes true virtue is private, and public charity is often
performative.
2. “Though he often censured the poor in his discourse, he never dismissed them from
his door.”
👉 Highlights the discrepancy between words and deeds, reinforcing the central
paradox.
3. “He did not give merely to relieve poverty, but to feel the pleasure of doing good
without applause.”
👉 Reflects Goldsmith's philosophy of altruism — doing good for its own sake
