The Confidence Man/YMMV

"Most authorities trace the origin of All Fools' Day to a Hindu vernal celebration, a masquerade called Huli... The avatars of the Confidence man are quite literally avatara, that is, successive incarnations of the Hindu god of salvation, Vishnu. The first major avatar of Vishnu is as a fish who recovers the lost sacred books; the first avatar of the Confidence man is an "Odd fish!" who brings to the world injuctions from The Bible. The second avatar is a tortoise who upholds the world; the second avatar of the Confidence man is a "grotesque" man who slowly stumps around, lives "all 'long shore" and holds his symbolic "coal-sifter of a tambourine" high above his head. After this comes eight other major avatars and innumerable minor ones; the Guinea avatar lists eight other men and innumerable minor ones... The teachings of Buddha aimed for nirvana, which means literally the extinguishing of a flame or lamp. According to Hindus, Buddha was Vishnu incarnate as a deceiver, leading his enemies into spiritual darkness. The last avatar of the Confidence man, the Cosmpolitan, finally extinguishes the solar lamp and leads man into ensuing darkness."
 * Alternate Character Interpretation: Depending on if you believe Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory. Is the confidence-man himself representing God or Satan?
 * Everyone Is Jesus in Purgatory: The confidence-man can be seen as either God or Satan.
 * Genius Bonus: Some outdated references are explained here.
 * Magnificent Bastard: The Confidence-man himself, most definitely.
 * What Do You Mean It's Not Didactic?: Look no further than the prologue of new copies.


 * Unfortunate Implications: The description of the New Guinean crippled beggar is... Fair for Its Day.