Psychoanalysis of The Devil as Partner

English 1301-175

            6 March 2016

#PartnerIDidBetterThanYou

A better tomorrow bought with devil’s dollar ends with the devil winning.

Psychoanalysis of "The Devil as Partner"

“The Devil as Partner” is another version of the story titled “Bearskin.” This version originates from Switzerland. In the story, a traveling journeyman does not have enough money to pay for his stay at an inn. One night the devil appears before the journeyman and offers him a deal: the devil would give him “money like leaves on a tree” in exchange for the journeyman neglecting his personal care (Ashliman). In other words, the journeyman could not wash himself, comb his hair, cut his hair, or cut his nails during the time that he stays at the inn. Through application of psychoanalytic criticism the motivations of the author and characters are discovered. We can find answers to the questions about the characters’ actions. Why does the devil offer the journeyman the deal? Why does the journeyman accept? Why is the story told and why does the audience listen?

By applying a psychoanalytic approach to the story it can be inferred that the journeyman was in a state of desperation. This desperation is what causes him to strike a deal with the devil. This is something that the journeyman would not normally do. This can be concluded after carefully reading the beginning of the story. The journeyman knew before staying at the inn that he did not have enough money to afford his stay. Yet, he stays anyway, because he is extremely tired from traveling so long without a respite. After a time, the innkeeper asks the journeyman for payment.  The journeyman feels remorse and a heavy weight for staying at the inn knowing full well that he does not have the money to pay the bill. He stays awake all night, which is a clear sign of remorse, guilt, and sheer stress. Just as desperation drove him to stay at the inn knowing he did not have money, it also drives him to make the deal with the devil.  He saw no other way out of his predicament. . During his tenure at the inn the journeyman’s life becomes stagnant. There is no moving forward for him. This can be likened to a childish fantasy of life in which we do not have any responsibilities and all our wants and needs are taken care of. The journeyman eventually longs for more out of life than his current dream-like existence as evidenced by his staring at the house of the merchant with three beautiful daughters. When the merchant comes to him looking for assistance the journeyman seizes the opportunity to marry. This is his way forward and represents growth beyond the stagnation.

            The psychoanalytic criticism can also be applied to the oldest two daughters of the merchant. When confronted about marrying the journeyman, the oldest two daughters reject the journeyman and run away. “What sort of a creature is this that you've brought home? I'd sooner hang myself than to marry him” is the repulsive reply one of the daughters gives (Ashliman). They essentially judge the journeyman by his appearance alone. The third daughter, however, agrees to marry the journeyman, for she claims that something good must lie within the journeyman. She is able to see a little beyond his looks. However, it is apparent that she does not relish the thought of marrying the journeyman. She is somewhat acquiescing to her father’s wishes. But, by choosing to marry she is also choosing to move forward with her life. Her decision is the counterpoint to the journeyman’s own decision. In the end, the journeyman becomes a nobleman. Upon seeing the transformed man the two older sisters regret their initial decision.  . They saw only ugliness in the journeyman, which reflects a negative and shallow view of the world.   To them if something is not immediately visible, then it must not be beautiful. The third daughter, however, saw the good in the journeyman beneath his unkempt exterior. This reflects her worldview. She sees the inner beauty, indicative of a more positive and open-minded view of the world. The older sisters are consumed by such a large amount of bitterness and envy that they commit suicide. They may have chosen to end their lives to escape having to face their fears about the shame they felt for having rejected a fine man and having their younger sister marry before them.

            Psychoanalysis reveals the hubris of the man willing to make a deal with the devil and believe he will come out ahead. The journeyman completes his seven years of unclean living and the devil gives him all that was promised. But, at no time did the man suspect that someone else would have to pay for the bargain he made. Thinking he had bested the devil was a mistake because the devil truly won. The devil got two of the sisters while the journeyman only got one.

Works Cited

Ashliman, D.L. “Bearskin and other folktales of type 361.”University of Pittsburg, 24 October

2013. Web. 15 Feb 2016.