Examples Of Idealism And Reality In Ghosts By Henrik Ibsen

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Idealism and Reality Christian Seyoum Montgomery college Christian Seyoum Professor Pryor Engl 102 Paper #5 Idealism and Reality Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts is a play about the past coming back to affect the present and the future. The play follows the death of captain Alving; a man of high standing in his community. The Captain had a title from birth and was held in high esteem in the mall town. Following his demise, the widow Mrs. Alving, decides to build an orphanage with the assistance of Pastor Manders. Pastor Manders is in charge of the finances of the family and is a man keen on keeping up appearances. Even though none of the characters in Ghosts shows personal weakness or lives inside of fantasy world, each seems to prefer his/her own private, idealized view of life to a more realistic viewpoint with all the associated unpleasantness. The characters in Ghosts all have their ideal view point of life and how it should be lived. The play begins with Jakob Engstrand, supposed father to Regina (maid to Mrs. Alving), trying to convinve Regina to join him at the …show more content…

Mrs. Alving bows down to societal norms and pressures to marry a man she does not love but rather because of his station and prospects. She is forced to go back and be a good wife to a man who cheats on her and abuses alcohol. Pastor Manders is a man keener on keeping up appearances than actually practicing religion or morality. He condemns the lifestyle common in Paris yet he cannot condemn captain Alving who carries out his debauchery in the neighborhood. Oswald is an idealistic youth with a global mindset. However, his illness changes his perceptions significantly. Regina is full of hopes for a bright future. She does not view her initial situation as ideal and is keen on getting a better life. In general, the characters in Ghosts have different notions of life despite the associated

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