You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
renreadsss 's review for:
Ghosts
by Henrik Ibsen
I'm astonished Ibsen wrote and produced a play about venereal disease and euthanasia in 1881. It's like he thought: what is most controversial nowadays and how can I fit it all in? Let's see: a mother abandoning a child and husband (implied that she went to be with the family priest, but he shuns her and sends her back home), a case of barely avoided incest, etc.
I love how the text is decidedly against religious moralism and social conservatism. In fact, you could say it all goes wrong (a character is agonizing with syphilis) because his mother has been pressured to conform with patriarchy and social mores. He got it from his father, not because he was a "libertine". The tragedy comes from not being able to rebel against traditionalism, and not because of "promiscuity", as you might expect from nineteenth century writing.
Also, an interesting discussion about ghosts - what is inherited from previous generations (aside from venereal disease) in terms of social constraints and how these ideas, even not being our own, still haunt us.
Especially enjoyed seeing a judgmental priest get his fill. Really liked Mrs. Alving.
I will try to read more plays by Ibsen next month.
I love how the text is decidedly against religious moralism and social conservatism. In fact, you could say it all goes wrong (a character is agonizing with syphilis) because his mother has been pressured to conform with patriarchy and social mores. He got it from his father, not because he was a "libertine". The tragedy comes from not being able to rebel against traditionalism, and not because of "promiscuity", as you might expect from nineteenth century writing.
Also, an interesting discussion about ghosts - what is inherited from previous generations (aside from venereal disease) in terms of social constraints and how these ideas, even not being our own, still haunt us.
Especially enjoyed seeing a judgmental priest get his fill. Really liked Mrs. Alving.
I will try to read more plays by Ibsen next month.