Faust: An Overcast Day, a Field: Difference between revisions

This section was the only section that Goethe left in the original prose format. When Faust finds out that Gretchen is being tortured in prision while he and Mephisto are having entertainment, he is outraged. His anger is almost beyond expression (Gray 152). He demands that Mephisto save Gretchen from prison. Mephisto tells Faust that if he wants her out of the prison, he will have to do it own his own, and all Mephisto can do is accomany him. Mephisto tells Faust that in order to save Gretchen, they must return to the town in where Valentine was killed. Mephisto warns Faust that there are spirits waiting in the town for the murderer to return. Faust doesn't care. He demands that Mephisto take him there. Mephisto then says that the only thing that he can do is to "cause the jailer's senses to be befunddled, then you seize the keys and lead her out. Only a human can do it. I'll keep watch" (620).

Goethe leaves the part of an overcast day in this story, perhaps for the effect of a depressing mood for a depressing subject. Nature has "ability to affect us" (Grandy 26). This also goes back to the idea of the romantics (nature). Faust discovers that Gretchen is imprisoned. Faust then calls out to the Lord "O you infinite Spirit, change the worm back into a dog" (621).  Faust blames Mephisto for Gretchen being in prison and wants help. The field and the overcast day is a constant idea of nature talked or acted about throughout the entire story.