Freedom and Confinement: A Modernist Representation in Ibsen’s Ghosts
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Department of English
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.