Don Juan in Hell is a part of the four-act play, Man and Superman written by George Bernard Shaw. It’s a debate and a philosophical dialog happening in hell. The participants are Don Juan, his former lover and her father, and the Devil himself. Below is part of the conversation between Don Juan and the Devil. Above all, this part is a parody, mocking the appearances by showing what’s really behind the beautiful facades. I think in this day and age the contrast between how people look and how they really are, is even more prevalent. Just take a look at all the people on the Internet. There is indeed a difference between beauty and decoration; which one do we see more often?
THE DEVIL. [mortified] Senor Don Juan: you are uncivil to my friends.
DON JUAN. Pooh! why should I be civil to them or to you? In this Palace of Lies a truth or two will not hurt you. Your friends are all the dullest dogs I know. They are not beautiful: they are only decorated. They are not clean: they are only shaved and starched. They are not dignified: they are only fashionably dressed. They are not educated they are only college passmen. They are not religious: they are only pewrenters. They are not moral: they are only conventional. They are not virtuous: they are only cowardly. They are not even vicious: they are only “frail.” They are not artistic: they are only lascivious. They are not prosperous: they are only rich. They are not loyal, they are only servile; not dutiful, only sheepish; not public spirited, only patriotic; not courageous, only quarrelsome; not determined, only obstinate; not masterful, only domineering; not self-controlled, only obtuse; not self-respecting, only vain; not kind, only sentimental; not social, only gregarious; not considerate, only polite; not intelligent, only opinionated; not progressive, only factious; not imaginative, only superstitious; not just, only vindictive; not generous, only propitiatory; not disciplined, only cowed; and not truthful at all—liars every one of them, to the very backbone of their souls.