Freedom and Confinement: A Modernist Representation in Ibsen’s Ghosts

Abstract

The research tries to investigate the main issue of freedom and confinement in Ibsen’s Ghosts. It meets its aim by applying insights from George Simmel’s concept of modernism. Moreover, this paper is based on the concept of city developed by Marshall Bermann, the concept of Apollonian and Dionysius aspect of human life by Nietzsche. Beside this, it is based on Marx’s notion of capitalism, Darwin’s theory of Social Darwinism. This drama deals with psychological confinement of western people. Characters look free but psychologically they are in trap because of the social structure practice in western culture. This work helps us to intersect some facts and fictional incidents of the Victorian woman. Moreover Ibsen’s asserts more distinct attitudes, philosophical insights and psychological reactions of the western people. Beside, this research has criticized the effect of capitalism and issue of prestige in middle class woman. In the name of prestige and reputation, they are ready to give up their freedom. The internal mind of the character is shaped by external environment. Ibsen shows how internal consciousness of human mind is based on the external and internal social structure.