MovieChat Forums > Der Student von Prag Discussion > the end (spoiler)

the end (spoiler)

posted 12 years ago by rayincumbria
3 replies | jump to latest

I have the (it seems) truncated 41 min version, so perhaps I'm missing something.. So I ask..
At the end, our student has shot his double - and therefore killed himself. Ok.. Then the Sorcerer enters, gloats.. and tears up the contract.... ??
I'd taken as read that our top hatted old man was a least an agent for, if not actually, the Devil.. the usual soul for wealth deal, and, as always, a trick... So having won, and is entitled to the soul.. he rips up the contract, presumably negating the deal?
What am I not getting?

few visible scars

[–] AssetsonFire 11 years ago

I assumed the tearing was just for dramatic effect. The contract was fulfilled, it's irrelevant what happens to the piece of paper.

~.~
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[–] rayincumbria 11 years ago

OK, that's not unreasonable.. but I'd have thought the Devil was one for correct paper work and accurate record keeping.. just in case.. Thank you for the thought and making a reply.

few visible scars

[–] scribe1270 10 years ago

I think that it symbolizes the fulfillment of the contract. The devil was only held to it during the lifetime of the student and when he died the paperwork was no longer needed since the devil had been paid in full for his services.