Discuss Ghosts as a Problem play
"Ghosts" is a play written by Henrik Ibsen in 1881.
It is considered a "problem play" because it deals with social and
moral issues that challenge traditional views and provoke debate. The play
centers around the character of Mrs. Alving, who is haunted by the ghosts of
her past, including her deceased husband and her son's illegitimate child. The
play explores themes of morality, societal expectations, and the consequences
of repressing the truth. Ibsen's use of the supernatural element of ghosts
serves to symbolize the ways in which past actions and secrets continue to
haunt and affect the present. The play is considered a problem play because it
raises many questions about the nature of morality and societal expectations,
and does not offer easy answers.
What is meant by problem play
A problem play is a genre of drama that deals with social and
moral issues that challenge traditional views and provoke debate. These plays
often depict characters grappling with complex, controversial issues such as
poverty, class conflict, gender roles, and political corruption. The term
"problem play" comes from the fact that these plays pose difficult
questions and problems for the characters and for the audience, rather than
providing clear-cut solutions or happy endings. Problem plays typically use realistic
settings and naturalistic dialogue to explore complex social issues, and often
have a strong didactic element, intended to raise awareness and spark
discussion about important social issues of the time. Some of the most
well-known examples of problem plays include Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts"
and "A Doll's House" , George Bernard Shaw's "Mrs Warren's
Profession" and Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"
What kind of play is Ghosts
"Ghosts" is a play written by Henrik Ibsen in 1881,
and it is considered a "problem play." It is a genre of drama that
deals with social and moral issues that challenge traditional views and provoke
debate. The play centers around the character of Mrs. Alving, who is haunted by
the ghosts of her past, including her deceased husband and her son's
illegitimate child. The play explores themes of morality, societal
expectations, and the consequences of repressing the truth. Ibsen's use of the
supernatural element of ghosts serves to symbolize the ways in which past
actions and secrets continue to haunt and affect the present. The play is
considered a problem play because it raises many questions about the nature of
morality and societal expectations, and does not offer easy answers. It is a
play that was written as a criticism of the society of the time, and it's still
relevant today. The play is set in Norway, in a small town, it's a realistic
play, it doesn't use much symbolism, but it's a powerful and thought-provoking
work that challenges the audience to question their own beliefs and values.
Who is called Father of problem play?
Henrik Ibsen is often referred to as the "father of the
problem play" for his pioneering work in this genre. His plays, including
"A Doll's House" and "Ghosts," were some of the first to
deal with social and moral issues in a realistic and naturalistic way, and they
challenged traditional views and sparked debate and discussion. Ibsen's plays
were groundbreaking in their portrayal of women and their exploration of
contemporary societal issues such as marriage, gender roles, and moral
responsibility. His work influenced many other playwrights and had a
significant impact on the development of modern drama.
What is the conflict of Ghosts?
The conflict in "Ghosts" centers around the
character of Mrs. Alving, who is haunted by the ghosts of her past. The play
explores the themes of morality, societal expectations, and the consequences of
repressing the truth.
Mrs. Alving is struggling with the moral dilemma of how to
deal with the revelation of her late husband's infidelity and illegitimate
child. She is also grappling with the decision of whether or not to open an
orphanage in her husband's memory, a decision that would reveal the truth about
her husband's moral shortcomings to the community.
Mrs. Alving is also in conflict with her son Oswald, who is
struggling with inherited syphilis, a disease passed on by his father, and with
his own sense of identity and purpose. The revelation of the disease and its
cause, add to the conflicts and the moral ambiguity of the characters.
Throughout the play, the characters are haunted by the ghosts
of their past actions and secrets, and must come to terms with the consequences
of those actions in the present. This conflict between past and present, truth
and lies, morality and societal expectations are at the core of the play and
creates the tension that drives the plot.
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