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"Even through today, the causes that he foought for so passionately have long ago been won, the plays are still exciting reading and superb 'theatre.' "What causes was Ibesn fighting for in Ghosts?Is it superb theatre?
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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. 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.
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