32 pages • 1 hour read
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48
Play • Fiction
Norway • 1880s
1881
Adult
18+ years
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen chronicles a day in the life of Helen Alving as she prepares to open an orphanage in honor of her late husband. The play unfolds through the complicated dynamics with her son, Oswald, and unveils family secrets, including the true parentage of Regina, a young maid. The narrative grapples with complex social issues like sexually transmitted infections, incest, and euthanasia.
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Unnerving
Contemplative
17,533 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts is lauded for its daring exploration of societal taboos and complex character portrayals, starkly challenging 19th-century norms. While some praise its unflinching realism and psychological depth, others criticize its perceived moralizing tone and bleak narrative. Despite polarizing opinions, it remains a powerful commentary on inherited guilt and societal hypocrisy.
Readers who appreciate societal critique and psychological depth in literature will enjoy Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts. Those moved by the moral complexities in A Doll's House or the dark familial explorations in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman will find similar themes and challenges in Ghosts, making it a compelling read for fans of intense drama.
17,533 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Oswald Alving
A talented artist who returns home to reconnect with his mother after living abroad. He is portrayed as an emblem of his father's legacy and struggles with his health while uncovering family secrets.
Pastor Manders
An old family friend of the Alvings, who acts as a business advisor and confidant for Helen. He upholds social conventions and represents traditional religious values in the narrative.
Jacob Engstrand
A local carpenter with ambitions to build a hotel for sailors. Known for his manipulative tendencies, he navigates relationships with the other characters for personal gain.
Regina Engstrand
A young maid in the Alving household, raised with a sense of self-worth and ambition. She seeks to rise above her class through her ties to the Alving family.
48
Play • Fiction
Norway • 1880s
1881
Adult
18+ years
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