Throughout "The Purloined Letter," Edgar Allan Poe contrasts the intuitive, poetic deduction of Dupin with the orderly, mathematical logic of the Prefect. When Dupin's poetic logic outwits the Prefect's, Poe appears to convey a triumph of literature over mathematics. However, this apparent triumph of literary logic is underscored by parallels between Dupin and the Minister. Both are characterized by images of "doubling" and both use identical methods to steal the letter. Yet, the Minister is …showed first 75 words of 2528 total…

…showed last 75 words of 2528 total…precise, defined measurements of the Prefect. The Prefect's focus is too narrow and he cannot accept alternative ways to conduct his search. This fixation on a singular meaning is the very concept that Poe avoids. When Dupin goes on to outwit the Minister, Poe highlights his ability to transform from a protagonist to an immoral character. In this way, he can alter his methodology to embrace many forms, much like the smoke that describes him.