The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

by Ferenc Molnár

There is a great lesson for all women and men in this wonderful story. It is one that will impress with its power. But I am glad to say that I do not believe fully in its truth. The Devil here wins his victory, as he has won many. But each year, as men and women get better, the victories of Satan are fewer. Good men and good women fight against evil and do not yield. This tragic, heart breaking story, by the wonderful new writer, tells one side of the battle between good and evil that goes on in every human heart. It has its lesson for all men and women. It is a powerful warning against playing with fire. Its lesson, taught in the downfall of the man and woman, is 'Keep away from evil, and the appearance of evil.'

Genres: Plays

216 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1907

About the author

Ferenc Molnár (Americanized name: Franz Molnar) was a Hungarian dramatist and novelist. During the World War II he emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazi persecution of Hungarian Jews.

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this was a disappointment. I am giving up after Act One. I need a play to capture me from the first line, and this one simply did not.

The plot is trite, even for its day, and nowhere near as captivating as Liliom, another play written by this author. That one eventually became the movie Carousel, and was stunning. This one is boring.

An artist, an old friend, her husband, and the Devil. Temptations, intrigues, the danger of losing wealth and security, not to mention (gasp) being embarrassed in front of Society. Sigh.

Not for me.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

This 1908 play by the author of The Play’s the Thing, The Devil lacks the latter’s charm. I don’t know if that’s because Molnár was still searching for his voice when he wrote The Devil or if this is an example of how much a translator / adaptor can make or break a work (I read the Oliver Herford translation), but The Devil doesn’t wear its age well.

The plot is more or less that the devil comes and mucks with a bunch of people’s lives. It’s a conflict that’s been done in other stories with more success, so I can’t say I’m shocked The Devil isn’t well known over a century later. Not recommended.