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Cover of The Devil

The Devil

Written by Ferenc Molnár

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Man-woman relationshipsDevil

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About this book

"The Devil" by Ferenc Molnár is a play written in the early 20th century. The story takes place primarily in Vienna and revolves around a group of characters including an artist named Karl Mahler, his model Mimi, and Olga Hofmann, the wife of a banker. As the characters navigate their relationships, the enigmatic figure known as the Devil, who masquerades as Dr. Miller, enters the scene, stirring desires and tensions among them, particularly focusing on themes of love, temptation, and moral dilemmas. At the start of the play, the scene is set in Karl's studio where tension arises between Karl and his model Mimi, who expresses her sadness over his apparent emotional distance. Karl is preparing for an evening event (a ball) while inside his studio, he is confronted by the arrival of the Devil, whose presence brings an unsettling yet fascinating dynamic. As discussions evolve, Olga and her husband Herman also enter the scene, establishing further complexities in their relationships. The Devil's charm and manipulative nature become evident as he interacts with the characters, suggesting themes of love versus obligation, while foreshadowing events that may lead to romantic entanglements and personal conflicts at the upcoming ball.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in The Devil, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • intermediate
  • dark
  • witty
  • mysterious

Ferenc Molnár's "The Devil" is an early 20th-century play set in Vienna, where the enigmatic figure of the Devil, disguised as Dr. Miller, infiltrates the lives of an artist, Karl Mahler, his model Mimi, and the affluent couple Olga and Herman Hofmann. Through witty manipulation and keen psychological insight, the Devil exposes the hidden desires and moral compromises lurking beneath the surface of polite society. He acts as a catalyst, forcing characters to confront their true feelings, particularly the burgeoning attraction between Olga and Karl, amidst themes of temptation, societal obligation, and the nature of love. The play masterfully critiques bourgeois morality and the human tendency to rationalize desires, all while building towards a pivotal social event, a ball, where these tensions are destined to erupt.

“"I don't make people do evil. I merely help them discover the evil that's already within them."”

Key themes

Temptation and Desire
This is the central theme, explored through the Devil's role as a catalyst for revealing and validating the characters' suppressed desires. The play delves into how easily individuals can be swayed when their inner longings are brought to the surface and given a 'logical' justification, particularly concerning romantic and forbidden attractions.
Societal Hypocrisy vs. Authentic Emotion
Molnár uses the play to critique the superficiality and moral compromises prevalent in early 20th-century bourgeois society. Characters like Herman represent the outward show of respectability, while the Devil exposes the emotional voids and hidden infidelities that lie beneath, highlighting the conflict between maintaining appearances and living authentically.
The Nature of Evil
The play profoundly explores whether 'evil' is an external, supernatural force or an inherent aspect of human nature. The Devil in Molnár's play acts less as a traditional tempter and more as a mirror, reflecting characters' own suppressed desires and rationalizations back at them, suggesting that evil often arises from within and is merely given voice by external forces.

Worth discussing

Is Molnár's Devil an external force of evil, or does he merely personify the characters' internal desires and suppressed truths?

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