Asakaze Nishimura
11th English IB SL, Core 4
Mr. Donovan
May 23, 2016
LIT Essay Introduction
Word Count:
Relationship and the 3 Primary Conflicts Between Mrs. Alving and Oswald
In Ghosts, Mrs. Alving is usually considered the protagonist of the play; however, she is a protagonist dealing with two responsibilities and exploring two opposing philosophies. They are life as a mother and the responsibilities that go with it and freedom to be who she really wants to be. On the other hand Oswald has his own ideas about life and they complicate things between them. Mrs. Alving can be seen as an intelligent middle-aged woman but she is never settled nor satisfied with her life. She is considered big listener in the play nonetheless her mind is …show more content…
Alving and Oswald have their own way of dealing with problems, which causes conflicts between them. Oswald believes in his ideas of joy of life and he has lived his entire life knowing what joy of life meant. On the other hand, Mrs. Alving wants Oswald’s love so that she could relief her stress and does what she really wants to do. But Oswald never accepts her love towards him because he knows when someone truly loves him or not. But also it is important to not forget that Oswald is a sick man. He knows how severe his disease is, which can lead in to death and this is one reason why he cannot deal with anyone else but himself. As the play goes on it explains how Oswald cannot deal with what Mrs. Alving demands because he knows that he cannot fully take care of himself. Oswald states about his condition to Mrs. Alving by saying, Yes yes yes; all these are just so many phrases. You must remember that I am a sick man, mother. I can't be much taken up with other people; I have enough to do thinking about myself.” (Ibsen, 147) which clearly explains how Mrs. Alving is demanding too much from her son. Mrs. Alving desires happiness from Oswald that can make her get away from the reality where she has to face her life duties. All of a sudden Mrs. Alving wants Oswald back even though she’s the one who sent him to a far away school for a long time. After all the time Oswald had to live alone, it would be difficult for him to accept what Mrs. Alving is telling him. Oswald who inherited his father’s ‘joy of life’ figures out that he cannot work or keep staying with Mrs. Alving because the ‘sun’ of self-expression can be forgotten by the duty of life. Oswald knows that if he stays home his creativity and dreams would be distracted by the society. He believes Regina can help him find his way out of this trouble. Oswald speaks to Mrs. Alving, “Mother--when I saw that fresh, lovely, splendid girl standing there before me--till then I had hardly noticed her—but when she stood
11th English IB SL, Core 4
Mr. Donovan
May 23, 2016
LIT Essay Introduction
Word Count:
Relationship and the 3 Primary Conflicts Between Mrs. Alving and Oswald
In Ghosts, Mrs. Alving is usually considered the protagonist of the play; however, she is a protagonist dealing with two responsibilities and exploring two opposing philosophies. They are life as a mother and the responsibilities that go with it and freedom to be who she really wants to be. On the other hand Oswald has his own ideas about life and they complicate things between them. Mrs. Alving can be seen as an intelligent middle-aged woman but she is never settled nor satisfied with her life. She is considered big listener in the play nonetheless her mind is …show more content…
Alving and Oswald have their own way of dealing with problems, which causes conflicts between them. Oswald believes in his ideas of joy of life and he has lived his entire life knowing what joy of life meant. On the other hand, Mrs. Alving wants Oswald’s love so that she could relief her stress and does what she really wants to do. But Oswald never accepts her love towards him because he knows when someone truly loves him or not. But also it is important to not forget that Oswald is a sick man. He knows how severe his disease is, which can lead in to death and this is one reason why he cannot deal with anyone else but himself. As the play goes on it explains how Oswald cannot deal with what Mrs. Alving demands because he knows that he cannot fully take care of himself. Oswald states about his condition to Mrs. Alving by saying, Yes yes yes; all these are just so many phrases. You must remember that I am a sick man, mother. I can't be much taken up with other people; I have enough to do thinking about myself.” (Ibsen, 147) which clearly explains how Mrs. Alving is demanding too much from her son. Mrs. Alving desires happiness from Oswald that can make her get away from the reality where she has to face her life duties. All of a sudden Mrs. Alving wants Oswald back even though she’s the one who sent him to a far away school for a long time. After all the time Oswald had to live alone, it would be difficult for him to accept what Mrs. Alving is telling him. Oswald who inherited his father’s ‘joy of life’ figures out that he cannot work or keep staying with Mrs. Alving because the ‘sun’ of self-expression can be forgotten by the duty of life. Oswald knows that if he stays home his creativity and dreams would be distracted by the society. He believes Regina can help him find his way out of this trouble. Oswald speaks to Mrs. Alving, “Mother--when I saw that fresh, lovely, splendid girl standing there before me--till then I had hardly noticed her—but when she stood