Essay Questions

Why is the author notifying the reader that one cannot enjoy the affluence he has not worked hard to attain?

According to the author, there is a need for one to work for his or her wealth. The money you have worked for is sweeter and well managed. Young Peter is a character coming from a poverty-stricken background, and he is trying everything possible to get an opportunity to get rich. At last, Young Peter gets rich but not through the right channel because he does not toil to bring the richness. Everything is offered to him, but he cannot enjoy his wealth. Peter is a shadowless person and is not welcome in the community, forcing him to remain indoors. Instead of having a good time and enjoying life, Peter becomes more miserable than before because he feels that he is a prisoner.

What is the central irony in the 'Peter Schlemihl'?

Peter wants to be rich, and he exchanges his shadow with the grey man for wealth. Peter's magic purse contains gold, which makes him extremely rich, but his life becomes like a gold cage. Peter has no shadow, and society hates him. Therefore, Peter cannot go out to the streets, and he is forced to remain indoors. Before getting rich, Peter was a free man and could walk around, looking for opportunities. Ironically, Peter is now an unhappy man, which is satirical.

How does the author depict mystical power as one of the main themes in the novel?

The emergence of the grey man depicts the supernatural power in the story. The grey man is satanic, and his traits are feared by many, but he is wealthy. Peter monitors the grey man's actions and realizes that he pays all the bills for the guests present in a function. Peter develops an interest in this man because he wants to be rich. The man asks him to exchange his shadow for a magical purse that contains gold. Peter follows the instructions of the grey man, and he becomes wealthy. However, Peter loses his shadow. The society where Peter lives knows that people without shadows are evil. Therefore, Peter starts looking for the grey man to return his shadow but in vain.