Mr. Faust

"Mr. Faust" by Arthur Davison Ficke is a play that puts a fresh spin on the old story of Faust, telling the tale of John Faust as he wrestles with big questions about what life means and the pursuit of power. The play looks at Faust’s meetings with the Devil and questions the ideas of good and evil in a world filled with doubt. The play starts with John Faust in his library, having smart and thoughtful talks with his friends Brander and Oldham, as he thinks about life’s ups and downs and absurdities. As they talk about if their lives even matter, Faust shows his inner struggles and unhappiness with the shallow things people care about. This all leads to Satan showing up, promising Faust the chance to gain real power and knowledge, which starts a fight inside Faust between his despair and a desperate need to feel content. The conversations are deep and meaningful, helping us understand the characters and the important themes that show up throughout the story.