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Ibsen and the name-of-the-father. (Henrik Ibsen)

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From: Scandinavian Studies
Date: 19970622
Author:Shideler, Ross

Henrik Ibsen's plays often associated the male family name with patriarchical authority. Bernick in 'Pillars of Society' is trapped by his past lies, Nora in 'A Doll's House' has to steal her husband's name, and Helene Alving in 'Ghosts' cannot escape the presence evoked by her absent husband. Memorials to absent males always carried with them the burdens of the past in Ibsen's drama.

In the final scene of Samfundets stotter [Pillars of Society], Bernick, the town's leading citizen and ideal father, learns the dangers of having his name in lights. In Et dukkehjem [A Doll House], Nora ...

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