To write an essay on the subject "bargains," I am looking for examples
in American/British literature.  I want the names of poems, novels,
short stories, plays in which a "bargain" is a major theme.  Forget
Faust.  I don't want Faust.  I want literature in English where
characters strike a bargain with each other, or where a character
strikes a bargain with himself, herself. I don't need analysis.  Just
the name and author of the piece.

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Clarification of Question by skipper18-ga on 01 Nov 2004 01:34 PST

I'm looking for an explicit "deal" or "contract" between characters in
English speaking literature; or between a character and
himself/herself.

I would not use the word "bargain" - that now means a /good/ deal.

You want, I think, themes where there is an /explicit/ deal or contract.

Like The Merchant of Venice

One that stands out in my mind is Les Miserables. When Jean Valjean
steals the Bishop's silver, the Bishop tells the police that he gave
Valjean the silver. Afterwards, he tells Valjean that, in exchange for
the silver and his freedom, he must live his life for God. That
promise drives Valjean's decisions and actions for the rest of his
life.

A number of fairy tales also contain such bargains. There is the
mermaid who trades her soul for legs. Bargains for a child are popular
in these stories: Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel, and Rumplestiltskin
all center around the trading of a child for power or protection.

A number of comedies center around the "cover for me" bargain.

A number of dramas (especially political ones) center around power bargains.


- Hammer

Here's a combination of search terms that should be helpful:

://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=isbn+%22strikes+a+bargain

Another fun example is Scherezade.

- Hammer

I think that if you look at the marriage proposal made in Pride and
Prejudice between (I believe) Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth is a perfect
example. He proposes to her in the form of a business deal, showing
how their union would benefit her both financially and socially. I
hope this helps.