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General Context - Ghosts

Written in 1881, Ghosts is a critical work of realism that dismantles Victorian era ideals of family, morality, and religious duty  critique of 19^th century Puritan Norwegian society. Ibsen confronts taboo topics like hereditary disease (syphilis), euthanasia, incest, and the psychological weight of suppressed truth. Influenced by contemporary debates on determinism and moral responsibility, the play serves as a reaction against idealistic portrayals of family life and societal order.

General Context - Crucible

Written in 1953, The Crucible uses the 1692 Salem witch trials as an allegorical lens to examine McCarthyism (accusations without proof) and the Red Scare in post-WWII America. The play critiques collective hysteria, ideological extremism, and the destruction of truth under the guise of morality. Miller's personal experience with the HUAC investigations informs the play’s urgent tone and emotional stakes.

PLAY STARTS IN-MEDIA-RES

Context of Reception - Ghosts 

Audiences and critics initially rejected Ghosts as indecent and immoral. In conservative societies, Ibsen’s frank discussions of venereal disease, moral corruption, and female autonomy challenged dominant Christian and patriarchal ideologies. Over time, it has been lauded for its bold realism and psychological depth.

Context of Reception - The Crucible 

While The Crucible met with suspicion in 1950s America due to its thinly veiled critique of McCarthyism, it gained prominence for its brave condemnation of political persecution. Now part of the American literary canon, it is praised for its universal themes of justice, integrity, and mass hysteria.

Protagonist/Tragic hero/es - Ghosts 

Mrs. Alving is a tragic protagonist who seeks to liberate her son from the 'ghosts' of his father’s sins. Her flaw lies in her past decisions—to uphold societal expectations over truth. Her tragedy culminates in the shattering of her idealism and the recognition that freedom cannot be found through silence. Quote: "Ghosts! When I heard Regina and Oswald in there, it was just as though I saw ghosts before me. But I almost think we are all of us ghosts." — This metaphor underscores how past values, secrets, and lies haunt present lives. "It's not only what we inherit from our mother and father that haunts us. It's all kinds of old defunct theories..."—a critique of rigid morality.

“My duty and his duty … I’m afraid I must have made the house unbearable for your poor father, Oswald”  partial self-blame for not conforming to the patriarchal ideals/expectations of wife’s role in society  ELIZABETH

Pastor Manders, while not a protagonist, is crucial as a moral foil to Mrs. Alving. His unwavering adherence to religious dogma and social propriety reveals the tragic rigidity of institutional values. Quote: "It’s not my business to judge your conscience; my duty is to uphold the law and moral order." — His failure to evolve or acknowledge nuance reveals the dangers of moral absolutism.  “We must not judge our fellow man, Mrs. Alving.” – Hypocrisy in dialogue, as he constantly judges others while avoiding self-examination.

“That’s just about the worst part of the whole affair. All these spiteful accusations and insinuations”  no concern other than for his own reputation

Protagonist/Tragic hero/es - The Crucible

John Proctor challenges the archetypal classic tragic hero: deeply flawed but capable of redemption; “unwillingly”. His journey from shame and guilt to self-awareness and moral courage exemplifies the Aristotelian tragic arc. His ultimate refusal to sign a false confession is a triumph of personal integrity. Quote: "Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and sign myself to lies!" — The repetition emphasises his desperate need to retain identity and integrity in a world corrupted by lies.

He is flawed “she has an arrow in you … and you know it well!” – his weakness  aware of his hypocrisy, hence unable to forgive himself

Elizabeth Proctor also functions as a tragic figure—her emotional restraint and moral clarity anchor the play’s ethical stakes. Quote: "He have his goodness now. God forbid I take it from him." — Her final line marks her transformation from a silent sufferer to a woman who understands and affirms her husband's sacrifice.

“Elizabeth is heard softly singing to the children”  characterised as a symbol of perfection – binary to Abigail

“I cannot think the Devil may own a woman’s soul” – challenging patriarchal society

Major Charcter and Symbolic Characters - Ghosts

Oswald Alving symbolizes the inescapable consequences of inherited sin and societal repression  DISILLUSIONED BY FALSE TRUTH UPHELD BY HIS MOTHER.

“very spit and image of his father” ”how can you say that!”

“He stands there with his face pale and drawn.”– Sensory imagery describes his physical decay, mirroring the play’s themes of inherited corruption.

“The joy of life, mother—that’s a thing you don’t know much about.” – Contrast between youthful ideals and repressive reality.  “I never asked to be born.”– Existential crisis highlighting the theme of inherited suffering.

“the disease I have inherited … [he points to his forehead and adds softly.] … has its seat here”

Pastor Manders is a mouthpiece for religious dogma and bourgeois morality—hypocritical and blind to nuance.

Engstrand represents opportunism and the rot beneath society's moral facade. Each character embodies a 'ghost' of past ideals, inherited guilt, and societal constraint.

Major Charcter and Symbolic Characters - The Crucible 

Abigail Williams symbolizes unrestrained ambition, suppressed desire, and the manipulation of religious fervour for personal gain. Quote: “Let either of you breathe a word… and I will bring a pointy reckoning that will shudder you.” — Her threat demonstrates how fear controls others. Reverend Hale is a figure of transformation/dynamic character—initially a firm believer in justice “theology is a fortress; no crack in a fortress may be accounted small”, he becomes a sceptic of institutional morality. Introduced with the books symbolising how power is knowledge and the weight of his authority “loaded down with half a dozen heavy books”

Judge Danforth represents rigid authority, showing how power can be wielded without conscience.

Rebecca Nurse, emblematic of piety and wisdom, stands firm in her faith even unto death. Quote: “Let you fear nothing! Another judgment waits us all!” — She becomes a martyr figure, her resistance exposing the absurdity of the trials.

“If Rebecca Nurse to be  tainted, then nothing’s left to stop the whole green world from burning” —> symbol of unwavering religious conformity and perfection, reflects the religion they preach

Minor Characters - Ghosts

Regine serves as a foil to Mrs. Alving and is symbolic of the next generation caught in cycles of secrecy and moral confusion. Her arc is marked by her discovery of illegitimacy and her choice to leave—a subtle act of self-preservation.

Relationship with Oswald  irony as she represents a possible escape route, but they are unknowingly siblings – theme of doomed inheritance

“If Oswald takes after his father, I probably take after my mother”

Engstrand uses her for his own gain exposing exploitation of lower-class women

Minor Characters - The Crucible

Mary Warren represents peer pressure, weakness, and the struggle for autonomy. Tituba, as a racialized scapegoat, illustrates how marginalized figures are vilified to preserve the dominant narrative. Giles Corey becomes a symbol of resistance. Quote: “More weight.” — a powerful act of defiance that preserves dignity in death.

Singing of the devil in Act 4 juxtaposes the initial singing of the psalm – shows defiance  she is critical of Western society and aims to regain her own identity

“We are going to Barbados, soon the Devil gits here with the feathers and wings” – mocking spectral evidence and the superficiality of the court’s proceedings

Dramatic Structure - Ghosts

A three-act play that unfolds over a single day in a confined domestic space, heightening dramatic intensity. The lack of physical action contrasts with the internal unravelling of characters. Ibsen uses slow revelation to build emotional and psychological tension. The final moments—Oswald’s plea for euthanasia—deliver devastating closure. Quote: "The sun… The sun…" — a haunting cry that blends hope, despair, and resignation.

Dramatic Structure - The Crucible

Four-act structure emulating classical tragedy, moving from exposition to climax and denouement. The courtroom scenes serve as set pieces of escalating hysteria. The pacing intensifies the sense of moral suffocation, culminating in Proctor’s moral stand. Quote: "We burn a hot fire here; it melts down all concealment." — The metaphor of fire reflects both truth and destruction.

Setting - Ghosts

The Alving household is enclosed and oppressive. The constant rain reflects emotional despair and foreshadows decay. The interior becomes a symbolic space where the ghosts of the past manifest. Quote: "This orphanage is built on lies and filth." — A metaphorical critique of institutions built on moral hypocrisy.

Manders intrusion of public into domestic setting

“by ‘home’ I mean a place for a family, where a man lives with his wife and children” “Yes, or with his children and his children’s mother”

“Paris”  Represents the new world society and posh upper class. Criticizes older societies like Norway.

Setting - The Crucible

Salem is a theocratic, claustrophobic town where community surveillance and religious orthodoxy govern every aspect of life. The austere, dimly lit interiors mirror Puritan severity and contribute to a mood of fear. Quote: "We live no longer in the dusky afternoon when evil mixed itself with good and befuddled the world." — Illustrates the loss of moral complexity in a black-and-white system.

Hale’s invasion of the private setting of the Proctor household symbolises the authority questioning religious views “some questions as to the Christian characters of this house”

Internal Conflicts - Ghosts 

Mrs. Alving grapples with guilt and the consequences of choosing social survival over truth. Oswald battles the fear of degenerative illness and his loss of autonomy. Quote: "I can't go on lying to Oswald any longer." — Her moral awakening drives the climax. “I had to bear it all alone. Nobody to confide in.” (Act 2) – Syntax & repetition highlight isolation and societal oppression of women.

Internal Conflicts - The Crucible 

Proctor’s internal torment “with deep hatred over himself” over his affair with Abigail drives his initial silence. As he reclaims his integrity, he sacrifices his life to preserve his conscience. “I am not that man”  guilt and shame, recognition of his hamartia

“a thread to weave into his agony” – fuels internal conflict and shows reluctance to be a tragic hero

“she cannot think it [he knows it is true]” – similar “[with great fear] I will fear nothing”  technique of juxtaposition between action v.s. dialogue

Hale’s inner transformation from a devout cleric to a broken sceptic is equally profound. Quote: "I denounce these proceedings, I quit this court!" — a rejection of dogma in favour of moral truth.

Symbols, Motifs and Imagery - Ghosts

Pipe: symbolic of doomed inheritance – “reminds one exactly of Alving … at least when he is smoking”; connotations of inherited illness  “I smoked it once before, as a child”

Ghosts: Represent past sins, inherited trauma, and societal hypocrisy. Quote: "All that we inherit, all the dead ideas…"  “I almost believe we are all ghosts... bound to opinions that are out of date.” – Extended metaphor reinforces the theme of inherited suffering and societal control – critique the persistence of outdated morality

Title (reputation/last name) acts as a symbol of social oppression and legacy – metaphor for lingering social expectations, norms and inherited guilt  critiques rigid structures that define and confine individuals within their social roles

The Orphanage: Built on a lie, symbolizes moral decay beneath public charity.  She funds the orphanage in an attempt to erase her husband’s legacy, but the orphanage burns down, symbolising the inescapability of the past.

Fire/Light: Light reveals uncomfortable truths; fire threatens but also purifies.

Books and Paper: Represent knowledge, law, and its misuse by authorities.

Rain: A constant motif of cleansing and despair. “rainy weather…blessing the farmers” juxtaposition against “devils rain”  Shows the fakeness of her personality towards different characters. Highlights her internal hypocrisy.

Sailor’s home: deceptive project symbolising façade of morality hiding corruption

Symbols, Motifs and Imagery - The Crucible 

Fire: Both purifying and destructive; alludes to hellfire and trials by ordeal.

The Name: Proctor’s name becomes a symbol of identity and honour. “a man will not cast away his good name”  confesses reluctantly as it sacrifices his entire reputation and identity that he’s built up

The Poppet: Symbolizes the dangerous power of fabricated evidence. Quote: “Why, this go hard with her, Proctor, this — I had my doubts, Proctor, I had my doubts.”

Breakdown of society: “orphans wondering…abandoned cattle… stink of rotting crops” (Hale) imagery and olfactory imagery reveal the breakdown of society and the destruction of order – chaos as a result of mass hysteria

Duty: “draw yourselves up like men and help me, as you are bound by Heaven to do so” (Danforth)  idea of duty towards upholding religious values and conforming to oppressive society – religion as a mask for oppression from power

Weight: “great weight” – authority and power

Proof: superficiality of the spectral evidence “it’s hard proof, hard as rock, the judges said” power of the judges to influence mass opinion – irony in that the proof was spectral “what proof, what proof?” – superficiality

The Devil in the forest: any slight deviation in the oppressive attitudes of their societal expectations means the devil is at play – spectral evidence and quick accusations non-conformist = devil’s agent  “the Devil’s loose in Salem” Devil acts as personification of bd things about human nature

Themes - Ghosts 

Repression and Inherited Sin: The past haunts the present. Mrs. Alving’s attempt to escape her husband’s legacy fails.

Hypocrisy and Morality: Manders upholds societal values over compassion.

Gender Roles: Mrs. Alving’s constrained role as a wife and mother (maternal duty overweighs her individual beliefs  leads to overall conformity towards societal expectations of women; therefore, preventing outright resistance) underscores gendered repression.

Truth vs. Social Image: Revealing truth leads to liberation, but also devastation.

Theme - The Crucible

Integrity vs. Conformity: Proctor’s arc highlights the cost of personal integrity in a conformist society.

Power and Fear: Hysteria enables those like Abigail to manipulate and dominate. “the whole world cried spirits” mass hysteria – mob mentality

Justice and Theocracy: The court fails as a vehicle of justice, blinded by religious orthodoxy.

The Individual vs. Society: Private morality is crushed under public scrutiny. PRIVATE V.S. PUBLIC; INVASION  challenging beliefs

Judgement: “You will not judge me more”, “I do not judge you. The magistrate sits in your heart that judges you.”  Proctor is incapable of forgiving himself due to his innate hubris (pride)

“I judge nothing” Judge Danforth – represents the hypocritical nature of society

Books: “books! What books?” – fear of knowledge as it challenges conformity and presents new knowledge; goes against the conventional beliefs of society – traditional views

IB concepts - Ghosts

Representation: Social decay is mirrored in characters’ physical and emotional disintegration. Ibsen presents an honest portrait of a society built on denial and hypocrisy.

Identity: Oswald’s struggle with his heritage and Mrs. Alving’s moral reawakening are central. Their identities are in flux—shaped by forces beyond their control.

Culture: A critique of 19th-century Norwegian patriarchy and its moral contradictions.

Communication: Suppressed truths, euphemistic language, and moments of confession shape the narrative.

Creativity: Ibsen’s radical use of realism and his dismantling of idealist tropes were revolutionary.

Transformation: Mrs. Alving evolves from passive victim to a tragic truth-teller. Oswald's transformation is physical and existential.

Perspective: The audience is invited to sympathize with a woman defying societal codes.

IB Concepts - The Crucible 

Representation: The witch trials metaphorically expose McCarthyism and institutional injustice. Hysteria is depicted as a tool of control.

Identity: Proctor’s reclaiming of his name symbolizes the restoration of self. Hale’s crisis of conscience reflects shifting beliefs.

Culture: Puritanical rigidity mirrors Cold War paranoia; religious and political ideologies are interrogated.

Communication: Dialogue reflects manipulation, fear, and eventual catharsis. Confessions—true and false—drive the plot.

Creativity: Miller blends historical allegory with psychological realism to critique his present.

Transformation: Hale’s ideological awakening and Proctor’s spiritual redemption embody the play’s redemptive core.

Perspective: Presents complex moral landscapes; the audience questions who holds moral authority.

The use of the Sun

-        Truth being revealed

-        Significance of light representing new hope

Quotes About the Sun

GHOSTS:

“And suddenly I seemed to see my whole life…everything in a new light”  revealing the truth – light represents new found understanding and hope

“[she walks over to the table. And puts out the lamp. Sunrise….morning light]  replacement of artificial light with natural light – revealing the truth in place of concealment  morning light, new hope

“brilliant sunshine. Now you’ll be able to see the place properly”  represents new perspective and understanding from revealing the truth – change of outlook

“The sun… The sun…" Repetition of “the sun” at his moment of collapse symbolises both hope and resignation, representing his longing for escape from suffering.

CRUCIBLE:

“[Proctor] will die with the sunrise”  literally and symbolically through destruction of his identity and reputation – character development crushed

“The sun will rise”  “the sun is soon up” “the sun is up” – building tension, climax of truth being revealed

 

Quotes about ICE/COLD 

CRUCIBLE:

“the ice had been broken”

“cold, cold horror”

“needs a cold wife to prompt lechery”

“bitter cold” pathetic fallacy

“it’s winter in here yet” – cold, lack of love  winter = their relationship

GHOSTS:

“God’s icy wind”

Quotes about Fire 

CRUCIBLE:

“burn your province!”

“[laughs insanely, then]: A fire, a fire is burning!”  ultimate rejection of the foundational beliefs of society – juxtaposes end of act 2 with the ice  critical of hypocrisy

GHOSTS:

Burning of the orphanage

“Everything burnt. Burnt to the ground.”

“everything will burn. There’ll be nothing left to remind people of Father. And here am I, burning down too”

Ibsens general use of light

In Ibsen's Ghosts, the contrast between natural and artificial light serves as a powerful symbol for the play's themes of truth versus deception, and the suffocating nature of societal hypocrisy. Natural light, often associated with the "joy of life" and the freedom found in open societies, is contrasted with the artificial light of Mrs. Alving's home, which represents the darkness and secrecy she has embraced in order to maintain appearances.

Artifical light in Ghosts

Artificial Light:

 

-        Symbolism: Artificial light, such as lamps and candles, is linked to the lies and secrets that Mrs. Alving has fostered to protect her family's reputation.

-        Examples: Mrs. Alving's home is described as being filled with artificial light, and she offers Oswald a lamp when he complains about the darkness. This highlights her preference for maintaining a facade of respectability, even if it means living in a darkened, morally ambiguous environment.

-        Effect: The artificial light creates a sense of confinement and oppression, mirroring the characters' entrapment in the past and their inability to confront the truth.

Natural Light in Ghosts 

Natural Light:

 

-        Symbolism: Natural light, often associated with the sun, represents truth, clarity, and the freedom found in open and honest societies.

-        Examples: Oswald, having spent time in the sunnier climates of France and Italy, yearns for the "joy of life" and the freedom he experienced there. He also associates the sun with his need to understand the truth about his father.

-        Effect: The absence of natural light in Norway, especially during the rainy season, creates a gloomy and oppressive atmosphere, reflecting the characters' emotional and psychological state. The play culminates with Oswald's desperate plea for the sun, symbolizing his need for the truth to illuminate his life before it's too late.

Contrast and Significance of Light within Ghosts

Contrast and Significance:

-        The Shift: The play's shift from darkness to a potential for light (represented by the orphanage fire and Mrs. Alving's confession) signifies a move towards confronting the truth.

-        The Climax: The play's climax, with Oswald's plea for the sun and Mrs. Alving's revelation of the truth, highlights the importance of embracing the light of truth over the darkness of deception.

-        Ibsen's Message: Through this symbolic use of light and darkness, Ibsen critiques the hypocrisy of societal norms and the destructive nature of secrets, urging audiences to confront the truth, no matter how painful, in order to find true liberation

Theme 1: Truth, Secrecy and The Past Overview

Umbrella Thesis:
Ibsen and Miller expose the destructive power of secrets and the inescapability of the past, using silence, deception, and revelation to show how truth defines identity and fate.

Essay Outline:

1. Ghosts: Suppressed truths (Captain Alving’s debauchery, Oswald’s inheritance) show how silence sustains hypocrisy—“I almost think we are all of us ghosts.”

2. The Crucible: Proctor’s hidden sin with Abigail fuels hysteria, his final confession reclaiming truth (“Because it is my name!”).

3. Both plays: Truth emerges through painful revelation (Mrs. Alving’s confession, Proctor’s refusal to lie), demonstrating that liberation lies not in concealment but in confrontation.

💡 Memorisation hook: “Ghosts in the dark / Secrets in Salem / Truth burns brighter than lies.”

Theme 2: Power, Justice and Oppression Overview

Umbrella Thesis:
Both plays critique institutional power—whether religious, patriarchal, or political—by revealing how justice is manipulated to silence the oppressed and preserve authority.

Essay Outline:

1. Ghosts: Pastor Manders embodies rigid institutional “justice,” prioritising reputation over compassion (“my duty is to uphold the law and moral order”).

2. The Crucible: Salem’s court enforces oppression through false justice—accusation equals proof, silencing dissent (“We burn a hot fire here…”).

3. Both plays: Justice fails when power is prioritised over humanity, with true moral authority found in individual resistance—Mrs. Alving’s truth-telling, Proctor’s martyrdom.

💡 Memorisation hook: “Power corrupts / Justice bends / Voices of the silenced rise at the end.”

Theme 3: New vs Old, Change vs Tradition Overview 

Umbrella Thesis:
Ibsen and Miller dramatise collisions between progress and tradition, showing how outdated cultural and moral codes breed conflict and tragedy.

Essay Outline:

1. Ghosts: Mrs. Alving’s progressive ideals clash with Manders’ religious orthodoxy, symbolised by the burning orphanage (collapse of false morality).

2. The Crucible: Proctor’s challenge to rigid theocracy pits “new” personal conscience against “old” communal orthodoxy (“I say God is dead!”).

3. Both plays: Settings themselves (claustrophobic Alving home, Puritan Salem) enforce old values; tension arises as characters attempt—and fail—to embrace “new” freedoms.

💡 Memorisation hook: “Old laws burn / New voices rise / Tradition dies in fire and lies.”

Theme 4: Sacrifice, Integrity and Identity Overview

Umbrella Thesis:
Both plays use sacrifice—of truth, love, or life itself—as the ultimate test of identity, suggesting that integrity is forged through suffering.

Essay Outline:

1. Ghosts: Mrs. Alving sacrifices happiness for duty, later realising the devastating cost of conformity; Oswald pleads for release through death (“The sun… The sun…”).

2. The Crucible: Proctor sacrifices life to preserve his name, embodying tragic integrity—“He have his goodness now.”

3. Both plays: Sacrifice highlights the paradox of tragedy: only through destruction can characters reclaim dignity and identity.

💡 Memorisation hook: “Sacrifice of self / Integrity reclaimed / Identity reborn through pain.”