Ghosts by Ibsen
In his "Notes for a Modern Tragedy", Ibsen wrote, "There are two kinds of moral laws ... one for men and one, quite different, for women."(Magill, 982) Early on in his life, Ibsen became both aware of the unequal balance between men and women. Ibsen felt very strongly about certain issues which at that time, had never been mentioned before. Ibsen lived in a soceity in which he watched women be treated as "dolls" and a corrupt society get up every morning and put on there "mask" and go to work. He became appalled at the incredible role "reputation" had taken on among all of society. Finally, Ibsen grew tired of simply keeping his concerns bottled up and deciced to confront all of Europe with a variety of controversial issues through his writing. His writing became a method in which Ibsen would convey his views about individuality and the pursuit of social freedom. The characters of "A Doll's House" clearly display his belief that although people have a natural longing for freedo!m, they often do not act upon this desire until a person or even forces them to do so. (Downs 142) While striving to make two distinct, credible, realistic, and three-dimensional characters, Ibsen shared a common theme in confronting both the characters
How is one to live in an irrational world? How is one to give meaning to life in a world where you don't know the rules? "Ghosts", dramatize man destroyed by trying to live rationally in an irrational world. (240) Both the characters of Nora Helmer and Helen Alving are forced to live such a life under the conditions of an irrational world. Most importantly, Ibsen was able to successfully create credible, distinct, and three dimension characters which the reader could feel for and relate to ... the sign of a truly brilliant author. he complication of Oswald's syphilis made things more difficult. Mrs. Alving is a good, moral woman and is a truly three dimensional character. A large portion of Mrs. Alving's character can be seen through the Ghosts that haunt her. Mrs. Alving explains to Mander's about the "ghosts" : Readers can be quick to point out that Nora's change was gradual and marked by several incidents. A more critical look reveals that Nora's "changes" were not changes at all, but small revelations for the reader to see Nora's true independent nature. These incidents also allow the reader to see this nature has been tucked far under a facade of a happy and simple wife. In the first act, she admits to Christine that she will "dance and dress up and play the fool" to keep Torvald happy (148). This was Ibsen's way of telling the reader Nora had a hidden personality that was more serious and controlling. He wants the reader to realize that Nora was not the fool she allows herself to be seen as. Later in the same act, she exclaims to Dr. Rank and Christine she has had "the most extraordinary longing to say: 'Bloody Hell!'" (150). This longing is undoubtedly symbolic of her longing to be out of the control of Torvald and society. Despite her desire for freedom, Nora has, until the cl! Brustein, Robert. "Ibsen and Revolt." Tulane Drama Review. Vol. 7. Fall, 1962. Pgs 151-52.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Nora Helmer, Helen Alving, Doll's House, Rank Christine, Paster Mander's, House Readers, Consequently Alving, Erik Bogh, Nora Torvald, Tragedy Ibsen, doll's house, nora helmer, irrational world, ibsen strongly, realistic three-dimensional characters, society morning, review vol, independent nature, credible realistic, morning mask, realistic three-dimensional, credible realistic three-dimensional, helmer helen alving, nora helmer helen, characters nora helmer,
Approximate Word count = 1899
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)
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