Yes, I can see that as a possibility, if Gilt thinks Vetinari isn’t really offering him a job. That could be what “doesn’t believe in angels” means. However, that isn’t really suicide, as in Gilt’s mind he is just choosing one death over another.
The problem I have with this interpretation is that it requires Gilt to understand he can’t get the better of Vetinari, which I think is inconsistent with his character. Moist is a little bit smarter and more self-aware than Gilt, but he still thinks he can escape, until Mr Pump shows up. If Gilt thinks the choice is between death and subservience, why doesn’t he play along and try and escape later?
I think you missed my point. Instead of doing what a con-man would usually have to do in order to get his hands on someone else’s money (ie appear plausible and trustworthy), Gilt’s deliberately gone completely the other way. He’s blatantly dressed himself as the most untrustworthy person around – he’s said, “Look at me! I’m a pirate! A villain! I’m going to steal your money!” He’s rubbed their noses in it — dared them to catch on — and it all still worked just the way he wanted.
I don’t think Gilt was able to tolerate anyone else even appearing to be above him. Moist at the beginning of the book is willing to go through the motions of taking a crap job, so long as it leads to better things for him later. But Gilt always has to be seen to be on the top.
I’m with the camp that believes Gilt did not intend to die, but, in his arrogance and, perhaps, confusion after losing everything and changing status so completely, did not listen to or understand Vetinari’s speech, and walked out the door and fell, unaware. Vetinari’s speech to Drumknott was entirely ironic.
Vetinari is entirely capable of tricking a man into walking into his own death. However, the man can avoid death if he can put aside his (truly fatal) flaws.
Also, kudos to the person who said that Moist pays attention to the outer world, to people, and Gilt pays attention to himself. Very true, and explains the core of decency that Moist has, and the cold narcissism of Gilt.
Yes, exactly. Like I said, he was willing to go through the motions, not to actually do it (that changes over the course of the book, of course). Under Moist’s plan, there was the illusion, however short-lived, that his persona would be working loyally under Vetinari. That illusion would itself be intolerable to Gilt.
As I’m rereading and reacquainting myself with Reacher, I’m starting to lean toward the notion that, while Reacher would rather have died than work for Vetinari, he wasn’t prepared for it to happen quite that suddenly. I really don’t think he noticed the pit; he simply reacted in horror at Vetinari’s offer and fled when ‘given’ the chance.
Right. The line of Vetinari’s about Reacher being so dedicated was something of a dry wit. It wasn’t dedication to commit suicide, it was dedication to reject the offer and stick by his rejection and blindly march out the door.
Last thoughts of Reacher Gilt: “You’re damn right I walk straight out of this door and never hear from you agaiiiiiiiiii…”
Moist is perspicacious enough to realize that Vetinari never lies, but you need to be aware of which truth he is telling. Gilt is a con-man on an epic scale and a ruthless killer to boot, but at bottom, not actually as bright as Moist, who plays him like a fish in the finale.
