Faust: Outside the City Gate

Summary

It is Easter Sunday, and the commoners bustle about, concerned with the things that concern them at different times in their lives. Faust and Wagner have a stroll and a conversation in the waning afternoon; they seem out of place. Wagner is uncomfortable as he "can't abide the least vulgarity" (l. 721) and Faust's presence seems to be an event, suggesting that he rarely comes out of his apartment. Faust is recognized and praised as the fearless son of a great doctor. Faust drinks from a cup that is proffered, and he and Wagner continue on their way. Wagner observes that Faust should be proud of the esteem that the commoners show him. The latter believes that he is undeserving of their praise, for he and his father killed many more people than they helped, a result, perhaps, of a prideful arrogance.

Faust still relishes something beyond his book knowledge, though it remains ambiguous. He seems to crave something elemental in Nature, unfettered by the constraints of reason (cf. ll. 888-891). This talk worries Wagner who cautions Faust against it. Faust then sees a black poodle following them. It seems lost and well trained. Faust brings it with them as they enter the city.

Works Cited

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