Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts

Name: Ghosts: A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts
Author: Henrik Ibsen

By Henrik Ibsen

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About This Book

A respectable widow maintains illusions about her late husband's reputation while shielding her adult son from troubling truths; when the son returns and other visitors arrive, long-buried secrets and moral compromises surface. Conflicts develop between duty, social respectability, and the desire for honesty, involving the local pastor and household staff. As revelations accumulate, inherited consequences—both social and biological—force painful reckonings that shatter domestic illusions and expose hypocrisy. The drama examines how past actions persist in shaping a family's fate, the cost of secrecy, and the tension between appearance and ethical responsibility.

About the Author

Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) was a Norwegian playwright and poet, often regarded as the father of modern drama. His works challenged the conventions of 19th-century theatre and explored complex social issues, particularly concerning morality, gender roles, and individual freedom. Ibsen is best known for his groundbreaking play "A Doll's House," which critiques the limitations placed on women in society. Other notable works include "Ghosts," which addresses themes of heredity and societal hypocrisy, and "Hedda Gabler," a study of a woman's struggle against societal expectations. Ibsen's influence extends beyond his time, shaping contemporary theatre and inspiring countless playwrights.