Ghosts
What is Ghosts about?
Ghosts (1881) is Henrik Ibsen’s devastating drama about the consequences of social conformity and moral cowardice. Mrs. Alving, who endured a dissolute marriage for the sake of appearances, discovers that her late husband’s sins have visited terrible consequences on their son Oswald. The play’s frank treatment of venereal disease, free love, and euthanasia made it one of the most controversial works of the nineteenth century, denounced as immoral but recognized by progressive critics as a masterpiece of social realism.
Main themes in Ghosts
Social conformity
The theme of social conformity weaves through Ghosts, adding depth to its narrative.
Inherited sin
Ghosts thoughtfully explores inherited sin through its central conflicts.
Venereal disease
Venereal disease emerges as a defining element in Ghosts, shaping character development.
Moral cowardice
Moral cowardice emerges as a defining element in Ghosts, shaping character development.
Why Ghosts is still relevant today
Ghosts remains one of the most powerful indictments of social conformity ever written, its courage in addressing taboo subjects still admired. Read it free online on TextStack.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ghosts about?
A widow discovers that her late husband’s dissolute life has visited terrible consequences on their son, exposing the price of social conformity and moral cowardice.
Where can I read Ghosts online?
You can read Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen free online on TextStack.