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Encyclopedia of Fantasy (1997)
Things Bought at Too High a Cost

Tagged: Theme.

Short-term gains which have dire penalties in the long term. They are often a result of greed, and may be the outcome of treasures gained through Three Wishes. The sampling of the fruit of the tree of knowledge by Adam and Eve – resulting in expulsion from Eden – is the primary example. Anything gained as a result of a Pact with the Devil will always be a Thing Bought at Too High a Cost, as exemplified in the Faust legend and in such classic novels as Vathek (1786) by William Beckford and Melmoth the Wanderer (1820) by Charles Maturin. Some Things Bought at Too High a Costs may result in self-Sacrifice to save others. [MA]



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