The Devil

Molnár, Ferenc, 1878-1952Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 118K words
Chapters: 12

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.The Devil by Ferenc MolnárAuthor: Molnár, Ferenc, 1878-1952,Language: English, Class: PH: Language and Literatures: Finno-Ugrian and Basque languages and literatures, Release Date: Jul 3, 2014

Editor's review

This work showcases the narrative gifts of Ferenc Molnár as a Hungarian playwright. The story centers on a contest between temptation and conscience, with the author advancing the plot through tight dialogue and scenes that carry a sense of the stage, allowing readers to feel dramatic tension and a probing of human nature as they read. As a public-domain e-book, this edition is easy to consult at any time and serves well as an introductory text for understanding Central and Eastern European literature and theatrical traditions. When reading, it is worth attending to the subtle psychological maneuvering between characters and to how the author uses everyday scenes to convey moral dilemmas. For readers who enjoy reflective narrative and are interested in modern European literature, this is a reading experience worth investing in.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Chinese readers who enjoy dramatic narrative and character dialogue
Literature lovers interested in Hungarian and Central/Eastern European literature
Readers who wish to reflect on human nature and temptation through a short text

Not a good fit for

Research-oriented readers who need detailed annotations and scholarly introductions
Readers who prefer lengthy exposition and complex world-building

Reading tips

First read through the whole text to grasp the plot, then revisit key dialogues to appreciate the characters' psychological shifts.
Bearing in mind Molnár's identity as a playwright, note the sense of the stage in the scenes and dialogue.
After reading, write down your personal understanding of the theme of 'temptation' and discuss it with friends.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a play or a novel?

Sources indicate this is a work by Ferenc Molnár, an author known for his plays. The text has clear features of dialogue- and scene-driven writing, so readers can approach it as a narrative work and feel its dramatic tension.

Can I read it if my English is only average?

This is an English public-domain e-book, and the language is generally plain. If you have limited English reading experience, you can use a dictionary or a parallel translation as support: first grasp the main plot, then read the dialogue closely.

Is it suitable for classroom discussion?

The length suits short classroom discussion, and the themes of temptation and conscience make it easy to guide students in analyzing character motives and moral choices. Teachers can prepare discussion questions in advance.

Comments

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About the author

Molnár, Ferenc, 1878-1952 Author · Hungarian · 1878–1952

Ferenc Molnár (1878–1952) was a Hungarian playwright and novelist. He is best known for his dramatic works, notably Liliom: A Legend in Seven Scenes and a Prologue, a legend unfolding in seven scenes with a prologue, and another widely known play, The Devil. In fiction, his representative work is The Boys of Paul Street. His writing is distinguished by imaginative plots and a strong sense of the stage, with characters moving between reality and fantasy in stories that combine satire and warmth. His works have been translated into many languages and continue to be performed on stages in Europe and the Americas, exerting a broad influence on twentieth-century popular drama and coming-of-age fiction. Public information about the details of his life is limited, so this note confines itself to a brief outline of his themes and style.