A "Faust story" or "Faustian bargain" (as observed in Gregory Corso's "Marriage") goes way back to a story of a man named Faust, who sold his soul to the devil. In exchange, he got what he wanted, but no longer had a soul, and therefore could not enjoy it.
This then got the ball rolling in my head about the major pieces of literature we've gone over in class. Can there be a kind of Faust story in The American Dream? How about the Young Man? He can not feel anything, and while he didn't make a bargain with the Devil, being ripped away from his twin (whom Mommy and Daddy killed) sounds like it could be a work of the Devil. And this might be a stretch, but Mommy and Daddy had to bargain to get their first child, who they later discovered they didn't even want. Is that unlike exchanging your soul for something that you discover you don't want and can't enjoy?
For Death of a Salesman, I'm not sure I can find a good Faustian-anything yet since I've only just started my close reading and have only seen the movie version in class. But I am able to understand that Willy Loman is a SALESMAN. He tries to sell things. And he's SOLD on this Dream of his, (the American Dream?) but he is working too hard for it and can't enjoy what he has, because he is too concerned with what could be. I think Willy has all that he needs, (A good wife, two good sons) but since he can't get over his brother's successes and his own failures he still struggles to enjoy life as it is. That's probably not the best explanation but there you go.
And while I'm on this theme of intertextuality, The American Dream and Death of a Salesman are both centered on the "America/Dream/Modern Society/What is right v. wrong" sort of stuff. And both don't exactly paint the prettiest picture of America or our society, and both bring up characters with skewed views on what is right v. what is wrong. (Mommy and Daddy kill child with no remorse, Willy Loman doesn't realize how his actions effect his family, etc). There's lots of connections between the author's various messages, and a deeper look into Death of a Salesman will help me find them.
This is an excellent post Kenzie! You don't merely summarize what we have done in class but connect it to outside knowledge that you have learned. I have never heard of the "Faustian bargain" but by your explanation I can definitely see how it relates to "The American Dream." Regarding "Death of a Salesman", I agree that Willy has in a way sold himself. He has an affair with that woman because he wants to get in contact with the buyer(to which whom he could sell his goods). Overall great job with this post!
ReplyDeleteI really like how you opened this with the "Faustian bargain" and then built the piece on this. The response to course material can get super boring but this really tied me in. It is a very unique strategy but a great one I will definitely keep filed in my brain for future posts! The length of this is also very nice. You included a lot but it is not too long to where it is overwhelming for the reader. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteReally good job Kenzie! It is very well organized. You did your paragraphing well! Good intro, good conclusion! I just suggest that maybe you add a bit more detail next time. But overall very good post!
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