Analysis Of Faust's Dilemmas As A Modern Man

In the studies of Goethe's works, Faust is the most famous book which attracts more attention in Goethe's research field for many years. Scholars either focus on the figures and theme in Faust, or discuss about Faust's spirit, or study the modernity of Faust. On the basis of close reading, this thesis, with the consideration of the historical background of Enlightenment, aims at analyzing Faust's three dilemmas from the perspective of Faust as a modern man, illustrating what Faust encountered when he was in the process of pursuing the grand ideal and the perfect life.The thesis consists of three sections including introduction, body and conclusion. Introduction includes literature review, research' questions and methodology. This section respectively presents Goethe's literary works, the main idea of Faust and his writing background of Faust. And the studies abroad and at home concerning Faust are analyzed in detail, on the basis of which, four research questions are presented from the perspective of Faust as a modern man, namely, What characteristics does Faust have as a modern man? What caused Faust's dilemma when he pursued the truth? What caused Faust's dilemma when he pursued the perfect life? What caused Faust's dilemma when he released his desires? Chapter one analyzes Faust's characteristics as a modern man. This chapter attempts to sum up Faust's characteristics related to this thesis according to the author's intensive reading about Faust and previous studies. Faust has three main characteristics which run through all his life. They are Faust's strong curiosity of knowledge, longing for perfect life and his awareness of depressed desire. Chapter two analyzes Faust's dilemma from the perspective of the infinite truth and the finite life. This chapter endeavors to prove that Faust as a modern man pursues the truth all his life, but it seems that he would never arrive at the end of the truth. His life circulates between the infinite and the finite. Chapter three discusses Faust's dilemma from the perspective of pursuing the ideal and confronting with the reality. This chapter tries to reveal that there is a huge gap between the ideal and the reality. The dilemma between the ideal and the reality was a social contradiction that modern men must face. No matter what kinds of ideals should be restrained by the reality. Chapter four analyzes Faust's dilemma from the perspective of releasing his desires and being limited by the morality. This chapter manages to reveal that Faust as a modern man suffers from pains because of the dilemma between the desire and the morality all his life. He is imprisoned by morality while releasing his desires. Thus, he was struggling with his inner suffering. Although the desire is innate, it is also restrained by morality.This thesis points out in the conclusion part that Faust as a modern man can not get rid of the dilemmas in all his life. Faust's pursuit of the infinite, the pursuit of the ideal and the release of the desire present the characteristics of modern man. They pursue the infinite truth while they would never arrive at the end of the truth. They aspire for grand ideal but they would always confront with obstacles when they pursue the ideal. They release the desires but feel tortured because they are imprisoned by morality. Through the analysis of Faust's three dilemmas and his choices and inspirations facing the dilemmas, it reveals the reality that modern man can not get rid of the dilemmas. Thus, it gives rise to philosophical speculation of "the true, the good and the beauty".