The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25947

Title

The Devil: A Tragedy of the Heart and Conscience

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in Vienna, this novelization of Ferenc Molnár's play explores the battle between good and evil within the human heart. A suave, cynical doctor named Millar manipulates the emotions of an artist and his fiancée, testing their loyalty and love. A powerful warning against the subtle influence of evil, it appeals to readers seeking dramatic moral lessons and romantic tension.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in Vienna over the course of a single day, Joseph O'Brien's novelized version of Ferenc Molnár's *The Devil* explores the eternal struggle between good and evil within the human heart. The narrative centers on Karl Mahler, an artist, and his wealthy banker friend Herman Hofmann's wife, Olga. Six years prior, Karl left Olga for Paris; upon his return, she had married Herman. Though they remain friends, a secret, fading love persists between them. To erase Karl's past, Herman arranges a marriage between Karl and Elsa Berg, a beautiful heiress, planning a grand ball to unite the couple. The evening is disrupted by the arrival of Dr. Millar, a charming but sinister figure who claims to be a friend. Millar reveals himself as the embodiment of evil, designed to tempt and separate the innocent. He manipulates Elsa, encouraging her to pursue Karl despite her knowledge of his feelings for Olga, and taunts Olga with her own confession of love. Through cynical wit and psychological manipulation, Millar attempts to prove that evil can easily compromise even the purest intentions. Tension builds as Karl struggles with his feelings for both women and his growing suspicion of Millar's true nature. In a pivotal moment, Olga writes a letter confessing her love to Karl, intending to destroy it once they realize the error of their ways. However, in a final act of deception, Millar swaps the letter for a bill. The couple discovers the truth before burning the confession. They renounce their past romance, choosing loyalty and strength over the 'devil's' snares. The story concludes with a moral reflection on the eternal struggle between the Angel and the Demon within every human soul. It emphasizes that while evil is ever-present, the individual retains the power to choose virtue and resist temptation. The novel serves as a powerful warning against playing with fire, illustrating that destiny is man himself and that the Angel and Devil are completely under human control, waiting for the soul to call for victory.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/25947.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg25947.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 10:35 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• Fiction