When boiled down to its core, money is simple just a paper, taken from trees. Yet, this paper essentially has power over every human being on the planet. From taxes, to lavish expenditures, everyone always has a need for money. None the less, people still feel a longing for something, something more, something true. Richard M. Devas, the owner of the Orlando Magic, once said “Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none.” However, money is arguably the most important thing of our life. Money buys the necessities to live, and if one has lots of it life can become much easier. The phrase “money can buy happiness” is something that some people view as accurate as others believe it to be more of a fabricated expression. A firm believer of the ideology that materialistic goods cannot buy happiness is Carol Ann Duffy. Carol Ann Duffy is a Scottish poet, who uses her experiences of growing up impoverished to elucidate this theme of separation of money and happiness. In “Mrs Faust,” Duffy takes a proactive stance on how money cannot buy happiness, love, or anything worth truly having. 

Society as a whole has fallen under the mystical spell of major media markets highlighting the everyday life of superstars. From the flashing lights, the designer dresses, and the red carpet, to the political campaigns of both Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, a central theme arises when these stars are being interviewed: money. In lines forty-five to forty-eight Duffy illustrates, that the world is essentially allowing itself to be violated by this constant stream of money, “Next thing, the world / as Faust said, / spread its legs” (Duffy 45-47). By taking such a sensual image, and later in the stanza comparing it to a religious figure “Lord” (Duffy 53), once again demonstrates how people can be controlled by money. These two taboo items, sex and religion, being compared to money illustrates how Duffy feels about money. She feels as though that it is something that one cannot understand, something that the average person cannot grasp the concept of, money is an esoteric concept to many, yet society will still follow the green money trail wherever it may lead.

Marriage is meant to bring two people together and broaden their family horizon while also having immense love for each other. Carol Ann Duffy exemplifies the idea of how the obsession over wealth can drastically separate the bond of marriage. In lines nineteen and twenty, Duffy illustrates this message by using the protagonist, Mrs Faust, to say, “I grew up to love the lifestyle not the life” (Duffy 19-20). By taking this proactive stance, Duffy shows how money can bring external happiness but not necessarily internal. Today, some people bond together the feeling of happiness with luxury. However, Carol Ann Duffy uses Mrs Faust character to illustrate that happiness means so much more than money. Late in the poem, Faust passes away and Mrs Faust responds by saying, “Oh, well. / Faust’s will / left everything…/ to me” (Duffy 117-119, 125). “Oh, well” is how Mrs Faust responds to her husband passing, which proves the little amount of love, respect, and care their marriage had. Clearly, Mrs Faust did not love her husband, as she realistically was only in this marriage for the money. She practically uses Faust for all of his money, and when he passes away, his entire will. 

Another way that Duffy illustrates how money has the ability to take over and control lives is in lines one hundred twenty-nine and one hundred thirty-one when Mrs Faust says, “I bought a kidney / with my credit card, / then I got well” (Duffy 129-131).  This illustrates the idea of having money being the root to all evil. Mrs Faust does not care that her husband past, or virtually anything but herself. Throughout the poem, Mrs Faust is a very dynamic character as she changes from one who may seem happy, but with the overwhelming amount of money, a very fake, malevolent person. Throughout the poem, Mrs Faust’s true identity comes out as she says, “had a facelift, / had my breasts enlarged, / my buttocks tightened” (Duffy 76-78). Mrs Faust cares far too much about her exterior happiness and beauty rather than her internal feelings. The average person would look at Mrs Faust and her boastful marriage, and think that she is happy and very successful.  However, Mrs Faust is brainwashed into believing that money is everything important to life. Materialistic goods do not bring someone love, relationships, and most importantly happiness. 

Carol Ann Duffy portrays an unhealthy unhappy relationship through the Faust’s marriage because of their sole interest of money. The speaker of this poem, Mrs Faust, shows her disrespect towards her marriage and the overwhelming concern for by exemplifying, “And Faust would boast at dinner parties” (Duffy 28-29). While Faust would brag about his relationship and “successful” lifestyle, Mrs Faust rightfully did not feel the same way. An important part of this 7quote that illustrates how their relationship is not a joyful one, is when Mrs Faust refers to her husband as Faust. With marriage, a level of respect comes for each other. One does not refer to their husband as their last name, which shows that Mrs Faust is in control of this marriage. Another example of how Mrs Faust takes control and does not care for her husband is when she strains, “First things first / I married Faust” (Duffy 1-2). By saying this, Mrs Faust wants the audience to know that she is in total of control of this marriage. She is clearly in it for the money, and nothing more than that.

“Mrs Faust” begins with two characters that are very affluent and intelligent, “flourished academically, / BA. MA. Ph.D.” (Duffy 7-8). However, money begins to take over and become the most important thing rather than happiness and their marriage. A modern day example of this taking place is illustrated through the average person’s view of celebrities through the media. One specific example that comes to my mind is the Kardashian family. This family has their own T.V. show about their life, and the drama that comes with it. Many people idolize this family, and believe that this is the best way to live their own lifestyle. But truly, this family is nothing more than a family that is obsessed with money and loves to brag about their own to die for lifestyle. Celebrities appear to be extremely happy, but realistically some are too carried away with their cash inflow rather than their personal relationships and happiness. I believe that Carol Ann Duffy’s viewpoint on money and happiness, is perfectly shown through “Mrs Faust.” This poem really made me open my eyes, and realize the significance of close personal relationships and happiness rather money. Money is simply just paper, although it is important, it should never take over one’s life and ruin their happiness. 
