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.

Notes

The Significance of Easter in Christian Beliefs(Roman Catholic Church)

The Roman Catholic Church views Easter as a time of resurrection closely associated with the rebirth of the Christ. It is also a period of introspection where the individual should examine what is keeping them from being close to God and try to eliminate it.

Lines 585-660

St. Andrews Eve, as it should be noted, is a time for young lovers to consult the occult (ie. fourtunetellers and such) about who to be interested in. This could be seen as a bit of foreshadowing on the part of Goethe as the Friend of the Burgher's Daughter says that she "shall never find him" referring to the love that the fortunetellers told her about. (line 660)

Lines 680-717 Faust's Description of Seasons

Faust's description personify the workings of the world with such phrases as, "White-bearded winter, old and frail, retreats into his mountain fastness" and "But the sun can bear with white no longer". This lends even more to the prevalent Wiccan-esque view of the universe that is fostered in the play mainly by Fausts's study of the Black Arts.

Commentary

Faust and Wagner interact with the public, which display gratitude for the acts of kindness that Faust and his father did for them. “Indeed it’s only right that you should be with us this happy day, who when our times were bitter, proved himself our friend in every way. Many a one stands in his boots here whom your good father, the last minute, snatched from the hot grip of the fever, that time he quelled the epidemic. And you yourself, a youngster then, never shrank back: every house the pest went in, you did too. Out they carried many a corpse, but never yours. Much you went through: Us you saved, and God saved you” (539). Wagner explains that Faust should feel gratification for the way the peasants treat him, but Faust feels as if he has done no good and feels as if he has let them down. Faust begins to wish for things that are inhuman, almost foreshadowing a date with the devil. “If only I had wings to bear me up into the air and follow after!”(541). Faust states that he has two souls living within him trying to establish that he is a good man with evil tendancies. “Two souls live in me, alas, forever warring with each other. One, amorous of the world, with all its might grapples it close, greedy of all its pleasures; the other fights to rise out of the dust up , up into the heaven of our great forebears”(542). Faust notices that there is a black dog “coursing back and forth” (542). Faust noticed that the dog is circling around them and he exemplifies more foreshadowing by stating, “Him winding a magic snare, quietly, around our feet, a noose which he’ll pull tight in the future, when the time is ripe” (542). Faust decides to adopt the dog.

Lastly, Faust envies the townspeople's humble, unthinking acceptance of the world. His highly developed spiritual side will not allow him to follow the townspeople's example. (Milch)

Study Questions

1. What was the reasoning for Faust and Wagner’s visit outside the city’s gate?
2. What animal does Faust aqcuire at the end of this scene? What is its significance later?
3. Is Faust well respected in society? How does he feel about his status?
4. What is the significance of the current date in this scene?
5. Why does Faust pursue something "beyond his book knowledge"?
6. Describe the duality that exists in Faust's soul.
7. What does Faust notice about the animal he decides to adopt?
8. Is there meaning behind Faust and Wagner's meeting of the animal?
9. Is there any underlying meaning of the dog or is just a way for Mephisto to gain entry into Faust’s home?

Works Cited

• Study guide and Character Analysis
• Pink Monkey Notes on Faust
• Synopsis on Faust
• Milch, Robert . Cliff's Notes on Faust. Lincoln: Cliff's Notes Incorporated, 1951.

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