The Analysis of “Ghosts”

·                               The Social Background

Ghosts was written during the autumn of 1881 and was published in December of the same year. As early as November 1880, when Ibsen was living in Rome, he was meditating on a new play to follow A Doll's House. When he went to Sorrento, in the summer of 1881, he was hard at work upon it. It was finished by the end of November 1881 and published in Copenhagen on 13 December. Its world stage première was on 20 May 1882 in Norwegian in Chicago.

Henrik’s “Ghosts” is a realist drama written in 19th century Norway. The social context of this time meant his play was seen as a radial piece and theaters often refused to play it. This is due to the boundaries of class and gender which are constantly challenged throughout this play, in both a historical and modern context. In respect to class, this is achieved primarily through the use of characterization and a fundamental theme of deceit, especially, the juxtaposition between different classes.

Mrs. Alving is a prime example of how the challenged boundaries can be easily related to modern times as euthanasia is a controversial modern issue. Mrs. Alving obsessed with keeping up her appearances. She tried to protect her late husband's reputation. Besides, she ruins the life of her husband's two children, Oswald and Regina.

                        Regina is a fundamental character used by Ibsen to challenge the gender boundaries of his authorial context. In 18th century Norway, women held a significantly lower position in the societal hierarchy. The influence of the conservative Lutheran Church meant that they were primarily the property of the husband, and motherhood was seen as the epitome of their existence