Essay on "Ghosts"
Ghosts was a brave and bold attempt to fight for the liberation of humanity, entrapped by the over-controlling laws of society. An attempt of Ibsen's which proved imensely successful and eventually paved the way for more naturalistic, realism drama.
In Ghosts, it is clear that the causes Ibsen was fighting for were represented in the themes of the play, sometimes symbolically and at other times just as they were. Being a fairly complex piece of work, I found it easier to understand Act 1 after I had completed reading the entire play. One of the first things that I noticed was the conection between the attempt of female emancipation against society and Engstrand and Regina. I felt that Regina represented the increasing independance of spirit of the oppressed female society at that point of time and Engstrand represented the stero-typical views society had against females.
In Ghosts, it is clear that the causes Ibsen was fighting for were represented in the themes of the play, sometimes symbolically and at other times just as they were. Being a fairly complex piece of work, I found it easier to understand Act 1 after I had completed reading the entire play. One of the first things that I noticed was the conection between the attempt of female emancipation against society and Engstrand and Regina. I felt that Regina represented the increasing independance of spirit of the oppressed female society at that point of time and Engstrand represented the stero-typical views society had against females.
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Regina: Just think of all the times you've sworn at me and called me a... Fi donc
Engstrand: I'm damned if I ever used a dirty word like that.
Regina: You needn't tell me what word you used!
Despite being the product of adultery, Regina is still able to stand up for herself against a man, her non-biological father, who clearly underestimates her. She is able to voice out her opinions in a clear concice and sometimes blunt and rude manner, a trait that seemed to be lacking ampng females at that time, who were expected to succomb to the wants of a man. In addition being the child of adultery scared her reputation as a 'pure' woman and to have her voice out her thoughts that manner seemed at that time a truly controversal aspect for the character. I felt that Ibsen used Regina as a tool to fight for the humanity of a human, regardless of who their parents were or what their parents did. Another point that come to mind why this might be a point of pursuit for him is that he too did have a child at a young age and this might have also played an important role in his moral beliefs.
Another point I noticed was the introduction of Engstrand asking Regina to work at the saliors hotel. This is a clear example of how men tended to treat women like animals, the disrespect and humilliation involved on the latter's part.
Ibsen did also use Mrs Alving as a potent example as seen,
Pastor Manders: ...But its not a wife's place to judge her husband...which you rebelled-...cast off the cross...
This particular quotation is a clear example of the narrow-minded views society had of women, which Ibsen was trying to rid. It also serves as another example for the second theme.
In Ghosts, it is evident that Ibsen obviously has a grudge against the church. Pastor Manders is the symbolic representation of the church on the whole. It is not hard to notice that he is infact the biggest hypocrite, and tries to intimidate the other characters with his 'vast' biblical comments and parable sarcasm. "snares of the world are manifold." He is a cynical character, selfish, unreasonable and highly manipulative who was presented in an extremely unattractive light right at the begining of the book.
This symbolic relation came about due to the fact that Ibsen had a grudge against the church becasue it refused to lend him money. Along with that, he felt that its believers were hypocrites who had "perpetual fear of god", but did not believe in love and forgiveness. This led him to the conclusion of how the church dampens one's happiness in life, just like how Pastor Manders dampens and criticises Osvald's way of living. "Right? Right to have standards of living like that?"
"His left leg is rather deformed, and the sole of his boot is built up with wood."
The physical deformity of Engstrand probably represented the deformity of human relationships, as during that time at the turn of the century, when mordernisation was becoming evident, human relationships were sometimes based on guilt, secrecy and the fear of damination. Engstrand was Ibsen's atempt to show his audience how ugly it can make one, having relationships of that sort with others.
During this period of mordernisation. it became clearly evident that the theme, 'old making way for the new' seemed extremely appropriate. Hence was the case for its presence in Ghosts. Ibsen wanted the old to let their young experience "life" on their own, not the way life was experienced my theri parents. The "joy of life" seemed extremely important to him as Ghosts entertains many examples which speak indirectly, supporting his beliefs. In Ghosts however, it is so hard to achieve this "truth" of life, to experience the beauty and joy of living it on your own beliefs and not the inherited beliefs of your "fathers" to the point where Osvald becomes obsessed with this "truth". His constant pursuit of the truth of life turns him into a crazed maniac at the end of the play.
Lastly Ghosts is filled with the bitterly ironic theme of the present inheriting the past. How the children of the present, inherit the Ghosts of their past fathers. Although it is not spoken of in the play, it is evident that the characters do believe in this theme. Mrs Alving in this quotation is seen protecting Osvald fronm the devegration of Mr Alving
Mrs Alving: ...I thought he might be poisoned ...
The thought of the influence and connection Mr ALving might have had with Osvald is seen as poison by Mrs Alving, who is the character most prone to remarks concerning this theme. The deja vu of:
Osvald: I may as well help you to open it.[He follows her into the dining-room; the door half-open again after him.]
Here, it is clear that the Ghosts of Mr ALving have influenced Osvald to perforn the same adultrious act. I personally feel that Ibsen used the symbolic connection so strongly to implement his belief in order to make a greater impression to his audiences.
I definately feel that Ghosts is superb theatre. It exhibits naturalism and realism, vital aspects of mordern drama. The symbolic recreation of causes Ibsen fought for were not only translated to the audience by the acting of the actors but also by the clear, intricate stage details that add to the existing theatrical effectivity of the play.
I feel that the the biggest and most effective 2 themes were 1) the old having to make way for the new, and 2) the search for the truth, both of which are closely related and contribute significantly in supports for each other.
"...rather smaller, and walled with large panes of glass. ..Through the glass, a view of a gloomy fjord, half hidden by continual rain, can be made out."
Here in this extract, the glass symbolically represents the fact that nothing can be hidden, no secret can stay one forever, everything will surface sooner or later. The rain conveys a sense of gloom and despair. This adds support to the search for the truth and how despite the lying and decit, the truth will always surface.
Pastor Manders: Well, I shouldn't think most of those people could afford to set up a home and support a family.
Osvald: Many of them certainly can't afford to marry, Pastor.
This depicts the confrontation between the old enclosed world and the new open world Osvald has experienced. In a way, I feel that in order to find happiness, the truth in life, one has to rid one'sself of all the old ways as seen here. Osvald's friends have ridded themselves of the traditional wedding and despite not being married, continue to live happy lives. This is an example where Ibsen was trying to illustrate the positive aspects to old giving way for the new.
Another example of the intricate stage directions and details indicating the sittuation of the characters is evident at the start of the 2nd chapter.
The same room. The wet mist still hangs over the landscape.
"The same room", Ibsen might have used this to indicate the unchanging state of the themes. The same room- the same sittuation? Maybe. The hanging of the wet mist tells me that the problem characters are tackling have not yet been addressed, or more or less simply that the truth has not surfaced. This is characterised by the truth being represented by the light,- the sun. And for the wet mist to still hang, it is seemingly obvious that the sun has not shown itself, hence the truth has not been revealed. In the middle of act2 , we are faced with the "creeping darkness". This is when Osvald admits his syphilis to his mother in a rather indirect way. The fact that the darkness is creeping shows the possibility of the truth getting further away, or the main purpose of the play forgotten, due to the explicit content of the play.
In Act 3, we are met with the following:
"It is dark outside, except for a faint glow in the background..."
At the last chapter, the truth finally surfaces. This extract above, shows the hints Ibsen gives his readers about the progression of the play.
Finally for the final climax of the play. Ibsen cleverly weaves nature in with humanity, both realistic aspects of life to add even more spice to the already highly enticipated ending.
"...The sun rises; the glaciers and the peaks in the distance glow in the morning light."
After the constant stage darkness, the fact that the glaciers glow will add even more impact to the audience. All in the effort for the audience to receive that effectiveness of light. The glowing effect it produces, almost blinding considering you are an audience, sitting in the shadows of the play-then all of a sudden everything lights up. The effect must be overwhelming, almost shocking to a certain point. This is what Ibsen wants the audience to feel, so that they may be able to understand how the truth makes the characters feel.
His ability to blend different types of tools to generate human emotions, emotions that scare, disgust, shock, entice his audiences-that ability to overwhelm but yet at the sametime hold on to that realistic naturalism on stage is what makes me support the statement that Ghosts is superb theatre.
Regina: Just think of all the times you've sworn at me and called me a... Fi donc
Engstrand: I'm damned if I ever used a dirty word like that.
Regina: You needn't tell me what word you used!
Despite being the product of adultery, Regina is still able to stand up for herself against a man, her non-biological father, who clearly underestimates her. She is able to voice out her opinions in a clear concice and sometimes blunt and rude manner, a trait that seemed to be lacking ampng females at that time, who were expected to succomb to the wants of a man. In addition being the child of adultery scared her reputation as a 'pure' woman and to have her voice out her thoughts that manner seemed at that time a truly controversal aspect for the character. I felt that Ibsen used Regina as a tool to fight for the humanity of a human, regardless of who their parents were or what their parents did. Another point that come to mind why this might be a point of pursuit for him is that he too did have a child at a young age and this might have also played an important role in his moral beliefs.
Another point I noticed was the introduction of Engstrand asking Regina to work at the saliors hotel. This is a clear example of how men tended to treat women like animals, the disrespect and humilliation involved on the latter's part.
Ibsen did also use Mrs Alving as a potent example as seen,
Pastor Manders: ...But its not a wife's place to judge her husband...which you rebelled-...cast off the cross...
This particular quotation is a clear example of the narrow-minded views society had of women, which Ibsen was trying to rid. It also serves as another example for the second theme.
In Ghosts, it is evident that Ibsen obviously has a grudge against the church. Pastor Manders is the symbolic representation of the church on the whole. It is not hard to notice that he is infact the biggest hypocrite, and tries to intimidate the other characters with his 'vast' biblical comments and parable sarcasm. "snares of the world are manifold." He is a cynical character, selfish, unreasonable and highly manipulative who was presented in an extremely unattractive light right at the begining of the book.
This symbolic relation came about due to the fact that Ibsen had a grudge against the church becasue it refused to lend him money. Along with that, he felt that its believers were hypocrites who had "perpetual fear of god", but did not believe in love and forgiveness. This led him to the conclusion of how the church dampens one's happiness in life, just like how Pastor Manders dampens and criticises Osvald's way of living. "Right? Right to have standards of living like that?"
"His left leg is rather deformed, and the sole of his boot is built up with wood."
The physical deformity of Engstrand probably represented the deformity of human relationships, as during that time at the turn of the century, when mordernisation was becoming evident, human relationships were sometimes based on guilt, secrecy and the fear of damination. Engstrand was Ibsen's atempt to show his audience how ugly it can make one, having relationships of that sort with others.
During this period of mordernisation. it became clearly evident that the theme, 'old making way for the new' seemed extremely appropriate. Hence was the case for its presence in Ghosts. Ibsen wanted the old to let their young experience "life" on their own, not the way life was experienced my theri parents. The "joy of life" seemed extremely important to him as Ghosts entertains many examples which speak indirectly, supporting his beliefs. In Ghosts however, it is so hard to achieve this "truth" of life, to experience the beauty and joy of living it on your own beliefs and not the inherited beliefs of your "fathers" to the point where Osvald becomes obsessed with this "truth". His constant pursuit of the truth of life turns him into a crazed maniac at the end of the play.
Lastly Ghosts is filled with the bitterly ironic theme of the present inheriting the past. How the children of the present, inherit the Ghosts of their past fathers. Although it is not spoken of in the play, it is evident that the characters do believe in this theme. Mrs Alving in this quotation is seen protecting Osvald fronm the devegration of Mr Alving
Mrs Alving: ...I thought he might be poisoned ...
The thought of the influence and connection Mr ALving might have had with Osvald is seen as poison by Mrs Alving, who is the character most prone to remarks concerning this theme. The deja vu of:
Osvald: I may as well help you to open it.[He follows her into the dining-room; the door half-open again after him.]
Here, it is clear that the Ghosts of Mr ALving have influenced Osvald to perforn the same adultrious act. I personally feel that Ibsen used the symbolic connection so strongly to implement his belief in order to make a greater impression to his audiences.
I definately feel that Ghosts is superb theatre. It exhibits naturalism and realism, vital aspects of mordern drama. The symbolic recreation of causes Ibsen fought for were not only translated to the audience by the acting of the actors but also by the clear, intricate stage details that add to the existing theatrical effectivity of the play.
I feel that the the biggest and most effective 2 themes were 1) the old having to make way for the new, and 2) the search for the truth, both of which are closely related and contribute significantly in supports for each other.
"...rather smaller, and walled with large panes of glass. ..Through the glass, a view of a gloomy fjord, half hidden by continual rain, can be made out."
Here in this extract, the glass symbolically represents the fact that nothing can be hidden, no secret can stay one forever, everything will surface sooner or later. The rain conveys a sense of gloom and despair. This adds support to the search for the truth and how despite the lying and decit, the truth will always surface.
Pastor Manders: Well, I shouldn't think most of those people could afford to set up a home and support a family.
Osvald: Many of them certainly can't afford to marry, Pastor.
This depicts the confrontation between the old enclosed world and the new open world Osvald has experienced. In a way, I feel that in order to find happiness, the truth in life, one has to rid one'sself of all the old ways as seen here. Osvald's friends have ridded themselves of the traditional wedding and despite not being married, continue to live happy lives. This is an example where Ibsen was trying to illustrate the positive aspects to old giving way for the new.
Another example of the intricate stage directions and details indicating the sittuation of the characters is evident at the start of the 2nd chapter.
The same room. The wet mist still hangs over the landscape.
"The same room", Ibsen might have used this to indicate the unchanging state of the themes. The same room- the same sittuation? Maybe. The hanging of the wet mist tells me that the problem characters are tackling have not yet been addressed, or more or less simply that the truth has not surfaced. This is characterised by the truth being represented by the light,- the sun. And for the wet mist to still hang, it is seemingly obvious that the sun has not shown itself, hence the truth has not been revealed. In the middle of act2 , we are faced with the "creeping darkness". This is when Osvald admits his syphilis to his mother in a rather indirect way. The fact that the darkness is creeping shows the possibility of the truth getting further away, or the main purpose of the play forgotten, due to the explicit content of the play.
In Act 3, we are met with the following:
"It is dark outside, except for a faint glow in the background..."
At the last chapter, the truth finally surfaces. This extract above, shows the hints Ibsen gives his readers about the progression of the play.
Finally for the final climax of the play. Ibsen cleverly weaves nature in with humanity, both realistic aspects of life to add even more spice to the already highly enticipated ending.
"...The sun rises; the glaciers and the peaks in the distance glow in the morning light."
After the constant stage darkness, the fact that the glaciers glow will add even more impact to the audience. All in the effort for the audience to receive that effectiveness of light. The glowing effect it produces, almost blinding considering you are an audience, sitting in the shadows of the play-then all of a sudden everything lights up. The effect must be overwhelming, almost shocking to a certain point. This is what Ibsen wants the audience to feel, so that they may be able to understand how the truth makes the characters feel.
His ability to blend different types of tools to generate human emotions, emotions that scare, disgust, shock, entice his audiences-that ability to overwhelm but yet at the sametime hold on to that realistic naturalism on stage is what makes me support the statement that Ghosts is superb theatre.
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Warning!!! All free online essays, sample essays and essay examples on Ghosts topics are plagiarized and cannot be completely used in your school, college or university education.
If you need a custom essay, dissertation, thesis, term paper or research paper on your topic, EffectivePapers.com will write your papers from scratch. We work with experienced PhD and Master's freelance writers to help you with writing any academic papers in any subject! We guarantee each customer great quality and no plagiarism!
___________________________________________________________
Warning!!! All free online essays, sample essays and essay examples on Ghosts topics are plagiarized and cannot be completely used in your school, college or university education.
If you need a custom essay, dissertation, thesis, term paper or research paper on your topic, EffectivePapers.com will write your papers from scratch. We work with experienced PhD and Master's freelance writers to help you with writing any academic papers in any subject! We guarantee each customer great quality and no plagiarism!
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