Which characters make Faustian bargains? Do you think entering into a deal with the devil ever justified?

Faustian bargains are mentioned several times throughout the novel. Which characters make Faustian bargains? Do you think entering into a deal with the devil ever justified?

I think I missed this in the book. Maybe Guiseppe entered into a Faustian bargain to save Nino or perhaps Ned did. But both came away poor for their bargain. Guiseppe missed a chance to get to his family in America and, of course, Ned may have thought he won when he edged Artie out of the company. And maybe Eddie did this in a way when he walked out of that movie because of to the racism in the movie industry. In doing this we walked away from a great passion of his. So, Faustian bargains don't necessarily mean you win in the end.

There are many Faustian bargains in this book. For example, the deal Artie and Ned make with Eastern National for a desperately needed credit line requires a 33% stock option and board seats. As Ernst (the head accountant) says "They don't want to loan to you. They want to own you." But the most interesting bargain involves the character of Inspector Rocco Ferrando, who wants to keep his position and salary. He is ordered to leave cases unsolved so that those in power are not found guilty of their crimes. As this quote reveals ".....Ferrando can imagine a world where an inspector is the restorer of justice rather than another instrument of its impoverishment."

Doctor Faustus sells his soul to the demon Mephistopheles - the name of one of Artie's toupees! -- in exchange for supreme knowledge and power for 24 years, after which the devil will own his soul for eternity. Artie understood the concept well and, as noted by gloriam (above) the deal with Eastern National is certainly a Faustian bargain.

In some respects, Ferrando makes such a deal, as well. He goes along with hiding the truth about Vincenzo's murder, as well as regularly falsifying reports to ensure the continuity of his career and position. In the end, however, he uses the deal he has made and the skills he has perfected to do a good deed: he lets Nino escape and ensures that his falsified report will be above reproach. He no longer needs to work about his future -- he has been given a death sentence -- and is motivated by a desire for redemption and peace.

Is Anna deal Faustian? Perhaps unwittingly. She failed to see the far-reaching ramifications of her rejection of the Nazi regime's offer to use her architectural talent. It ended up feeling to her as though she sold her soul . . . and sold out her son, handing him over to the devil since she lost custody, was not even granted visitation, and was no longer able to be an influence in his life. She left him to be corrupted by his father . . . and he was Her choice was, ultimately, her undoing (in combination with her role in the testing of bombs in the desert).

I think Artie made more than one Faustian bargain. Artie made a Faustian bargain with Eastern National, on behalf of his company, but I think he also made one in exchange for all of the "keeping up with the Jones' ". He had a trophy wife, modern luxuries, a beautiful home, and seemingly successful company, but he couldn't enjoy any of it and was constantly questioning other people's loyalties. I'm not sure he thought it was all worthwhile; I believe he just got stuck in the same old rut.