Poor Gretchen. She's been through hell (ha, ha.). The Gretchen tragedy makes up the heart of FAUST, and is what the play is typically known for. Gretchen has inspired art and music, most notably, Schubert's Gretchen am Spinnrad, or Grethen at the Spinning Wheel. You can hear a classical version of this, using Goethe's words from lines 3374-3413 here. Just scroll down to number 11.
There is also an awful electronica version of the song if you are bold enough to try it.
Gretchen is drawn in such a way that we instantly feel sympathy for her. The question for you is to analyze how this happens.
Quiz #2
While most readers agree that Gretchen is a sympathetic figure, the fact is that deaths of her brother and mother are her fault. And, she is carrying an illegitimate child, too. So why do we feel sorry for her? What techniques has Goethe employed to create this sympathy?
Answer the question, as always, in a well-developed paragraph. Refer to the text. Bring to class on Friday.
1 comment:
I believe that the story is about good versus evil. Faust, and his journey, represents the journey of life. He is cocky and arrogant like we all are at times, and we also, at times, think we know everything. Margaret represents the earthly desires that we all encounter. The things that we shouldn't want or think about but we do. Mephisto represents the temptation that goes along with being human. He is saved, and rightfully so, because he finally sees the light and that, ultimately, is what God wants - out of Faust, as well as all of us.
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