Summary of Genius

Genius by Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch tells the story of Professor Wthough, a genius and expert in ancient languages. He has a beautiful young lover named Malwida, whom he loves deeply and instructs in languages and the arts. The professor is frustrated with his role in society - he feels that he is not given the respect he deserves and he is possessed with the idea of creating something grand and lasting in his life. In his desire to make his mark on the world, he makes a pact with Satan, trading a portion of his soul in exchange for immortality. The consequences of this bargain are dire. The professor finds himself condemned to an eternal cycle of love and suffering, and must fight his way out of his own dark labyrinth of passion and desperation. The story of the professor is a warning against the danger of ambition and a reminder of the limits of the human mind.