 The film was also somewhat autobiographical for Rossen , relating to his dealings with the House Un @-@ American Activities Committee . A screenwriter during the 1930s and ' 40s , he had been involved with the Communist Party in the 1930s and refused to name names at his first HUAC appearance . Ultimately he changed his mind and identified friends and colleagues as party members . Similarly , Felson sells his soul and betrays the one person who really knows and loves him in a Faustian pact to gain character . 
 The film was also somewhat autobiographical for Rossen , relating to his dealings with the House Un @-@ American Activities Committee . A screenwriter during the 1930s and ' 40s , he <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>had</mark></a> been involved with the Communist Party in the 1930s and refused to name names at his first HUAC appearance . Ultimately he changed his mind and identified friends and colleagues as party members . Similarly , Felson <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>sells</mark></a> his soul and <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>betrays</mark></a> the one person <a href='null_relcl' title='4'><mark>who</mark></a>really <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>knows</mark></a> and <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>loves</mark></a> him in a Faustian pact to gain character . 
The film was also somewhat autobiographical for Rossen , relating to his dealings with da House Un @-@ American Activities Committee . A screenwriter durin tda1930s and ' 40s , he done been involved w the Communist Party in the 1930s and refused to name names at his first HUAC appearance . Ultimately he changed his mind and identified friends and colleagues as party members . Similarly , Felson sell his soul and betray thdane person really know and love him in a Faustian pact to gain character .