This play makes one think about truth-telling, how it can be used for good or ill, and how good intentions can very well end in bad results. While being honest is recognized as a morally good thing in general, one's motivations behind telling the truth and realistic expectations of likely consequences do matter when trying to judge whether or not it is a good thing to do in particular situations.
The wild duck, though silent, is in a way the most important character in the play. Apparently they have a tendency, when shot, to plunge all the way down to the bottom of the water, get hold of the weeds that are found on the lake bed, and hang on tight to them until death, never coming back up to the surface.
Ibsen seems to indicate that life is like a lake scene. The water is beautiful and smooth, while at the bottom lie all the weeds and junk that nobody wants to see and that people prefer to not think about. But it's there all the same. The "wild ducks" among us are those who are forced by others, well-intentioned or not, in the name of "honesty" to get down to the bottom of the lake to see all the debris. But once they see it, they are unable to let go and live life on the surface as before, so the sight destroys them.
Showing posts with label Henrik Ibsen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Henrik Ibsen. Show all posts
Friday, June 1, 2018
The Master Builder, by Henrik Ibsen
Another great play by Henrik Ibsen. It's about a builder named Halvard Solness who experienced tragedy early in his life. Ibsen leaves it ambiguous as to whether the tragedy was an unavoidable accident or due to willful negligence since it resulted in career opportunities for Solness. Since that time, he has been angry at God, and carried out his life as if there isn't one. As far as money and career go, his life has outwardly been very successful; he takes great pride in being a self-made man who owes nothing to anyone (especially God).
But despite the formidable exterior, there are signs that not all is well. The tragedy destroyed his marriage such that his wife is a shell of what she once was, and Solness has been consoling himself with the admiration of younger women. There's a certain type of building Solness refuses to work on: churches. Then there's his odd habit of putting tall church-like spires on all the buildings he designs, and the Norwegian custom of the builder climbing up to the highest part of the building to put a wreath on it on opening day.
In many ways this play brings to mind Icarus and Daedalus, not to mention the Tower of Babel--stories of what happens to people who think they can attain heaven on their own instead of being humble enough to rely on God's grace.
But despite the formidable exterior, there are signs that not all is well. The tragedy destroyed his marriage such that his wife is a shell of what she once was, and Solness has been consoling himself with the admiration of younger women. There's a certain type of building Solness refuses to work on: churches. Then there's his odd habit of putting tall church-like spires on all the buildings he designs, and the Norwegian custom of the builder climbing up to the highest part of the building to put a wreath on it on opening day.
In many ways this play brings to mind Icarus and Daedalus, not to mention the Tower of Babel--stories of what happens to people who think they can attain heaven on their own instead of being humble enough to rely on God's grace.
A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen
I like this even better than Hedda Gabler. Husband Torvald is kind and affectionate to wife Nora, but has a tendency to treat her like a pampered child to spoil, amuse himself with and protect from all cares. However, years ago when they were poorer and Torvald seriously ill, Nora decided to bend the law, risking her own good name to borrow a large sum of money for his extended rest cure in Italy. She has been living in fear ever since that her secret will get out. Meanwhile her creditor wants a favor from her that she has little power to give and he's threatening to talk.
It brings to mind that Bible verse everyone hates but never quotes in its entirety (because they've already blown their top before they get halfway through), Ephesians 5:22-27: Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord...Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.... This play is about a husband who fell short, a disappointed wife, and the need to do a lot of growing up, not to mention a lot of reflection about what marriage is, before they can be reconciled.
It brings to mind that Bible verse everyone hates but never quotes in its entirety (because they've already blown their top before they get halfway through), Ephesians 5:22-27: Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord...Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.... This play is about a husband who fell short, a disappointed wife, and the need to do a lot of growing up, not to mention a lot of reflection about what marriage is, before they can be reconciled.
Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen
This has some similarities to Madame Bovary in that the title character is a beautiful woman who marries a good natured man that she finds boring and who looks for excitement elsewhere.
However, Hedda Gabler has a cold calculating nature that I don't remember Emma Bovary as having. She is quite capable of deliberately ruining other people's lives purely for her own entertainment. She has a foil in her friend Mrs. Elvsted and also Aunt Julie--women who freely give of themselves to care for others. The two men who are interested in Hedda are Judge Brack, whose coldness and calculation are quite similar to her own, and Eilert Lovborg, an old beau with a generous, romantic nature and a self-destructive streak. The play is about how these differing personalities affect each other's lives.
However, Hedda Gabler has a cold calculating nature that I don't remember Emma Bovary as having. She is quite capable of deliberately ruining other people's lives purely for her own entertainment. She has a foil in her friend Mrs. Elvsted and also Aunt Julie--women who freely give of themselves to care for others. The two men who are interested in Hedda are Judge Brack, whose coldness and calculation are quite similar to her own, and Eilert Lovborg, an old beau with a generous, romantic nature and a self-destructive streak. The play is about how these differing personalities affect each other's lives.
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