Mr. Faust

The work of Arthur Davison Ficke showcases a recurring theme of greatness that captures the reader's attention, even though there is room for improvement in both form and content. In his play "Mr. Faust," this theme takes center stage and shows marked improvements in both intellectual and artistic maturity. The play expresses a well-rounded and deep philosophy of life based on the evolutionary concept, but it is far from being a materialistic or dogmatic view. Instead, it incorporates the new sense of mystery and encourages both faith and doubt, making man once again the center of the universe. Not as a conqueror, but as a servant of a life-principle that extends from the smallest grain of sand to the human brain. Despite its philosophical underpinnings, "Mr. Faust" is primarily a work of art that emphasizes beauty and adheres to the author's principle that poetry should not descend from its natural sphere nor push its own intuition as a practical truth.