New-York tribune., 1906-12-31
THE DRAMA.
MRS. FISKE AT THE LYRIC THEATRE.
"ROSMERSHOLM."

by a numerous and brilliant audience. 1t
Nine. Modjeska who introduced the lbsen drama
10 the American stage, she having produced THE
Dolls House. under another NAME many years
ago. but it is Mrs Fiske who has made the Ibsen
drama temporarily current and invested it with
least an appearance of stability. her exceptional
intellectual force power of will, originality of char
acter and steadfast persistence having enabled her
to excel all competition in the display of Mr..
1bsenS erratic herolnes. Her inpersonation of
Rebecca West. manifestng the same resolute per-
sonality. the same morbid temperament. and the
same inexplfcable perverse obliquty of conduct
that she revealed well in Hedda Gabler. will.
probably, be accepted by votares of the Ibsen
cult a marvellous achievement BY the un-
initiated and the profanc it can only be viewed
with the respect that is due a mystery. The
author of 'Rosmershom'' probably intended that
IL should convey meaning. The translator OF ii
intimates the opinion that il is a picture of the
antagonism Of political parties in the kingdom of
Sweden and Norway about twenty-five years ago;
that one of its characters. a school-master named
kroil, typifies the bitterness of defeated
tsIn while another sleek radical editor. typifes
sort Of downy, crafty sef-seeking democracy.
The more explicit press agent. the contrary,
declares il TO be expositve of the love of John
Rosmer and Rebecca West. Neither of these
theories. however, nor the perusal of the piece
nor the performance of it, avails clearly and fully
TO illuminate Mr.. Ibsens darker purpose Mrs.
Fiske is said to have expressed the conviction that
right understanding of this profound subject can
only be acquired in about three years of study;
but since life is short and time feeting, the al
tentative Of the commentator must be
the facts. they dirnly appear upon the surface
The play of "Rosmersholm' is comprised in four
acts and is written in prose. The is the
mansion of ancient respectable family named
Rosmer.-a home situated near to small town,
the western sea-coast OF Norway The col
loquy is carried on by six persons. all of whom
speak alike. and all speak like Ibsen,-none OF
them possessing distinctiveness of verbal
preston. There is not even a remote semblance
OF action in any OF the four scenes, The pur-
pose seems 10 be a presentment Of domestic sit
uation, and that presentment is accomplished by
talk In the course of several conversations it is
made known that John Rosmer, owner of Ros-
rnershom. and the last of his race has been
clergyman but has left the Church and become
free-thinker: also il is made known that he is
widower. and that Rebecca West. a young
woman Of advanced ideas" is. and for some
time has been resident in his mansion. lntima-
tion is afforded that Rebecca VESTS views and
proceedings "emancipated woman,''-su-
perior to the restrictions commonly imposed and
observed by her seX,-are attributable to moral
antecedents," that is to say, old friend hered
fly, she being the illegtmate child of a doctor
named West and nurse named Samvik. The
lation in which Rebecca West. personally, stands
toward the emancipated Rosmer is precisely
defined. His purpose, stated by himself, is
10 awaken the democracy of his neighborhood
TO the task Of making all the people of Norway
and Sweden noble by freeing their minds and
purifying their wills.-a task. seemingly. of
magnitude. Her purpose capture him; and
yet, when the man proposes marriage she declines
his offer. Something is said about her hav
ing introduced into the Rosmer mansion a book
about the rationale of marriage, according to
the advanced ideas of the day"-whatever those
may be; and presently her testimony commLni-
Gates the information that she has schemed
fngTatiate herself with Rosmer and his wife and
10 become inmate of their home; that she has
been, for a time. consumed with "a wild
contrOllable desire,"-''ike a storm the sea-"
into ica afqdd cirpr
that she has. by either direct statement inn
plication, caused Mrs. Rosmer believe her
husband unfaithful, insinuatng. indeed. that
consequences of his suggested haison with her
self ruinous reputation were immi-
ment. and thus driving that miserable
woman insanity and suicide; Mrs. Ros-
nner having "effaced herself. by jumping into a
millrace- In brief ''Rosmersholm." it ap
pea 5 TO the eyes of common sense. a long and
tedious dialogue relative to deplorable Of
domestic trouble. sequent the weakness of
vain, feather headed man and the selfish strength
Of visionary addle-headed woman Mrs. Rosmer
having miseIaby perished by suicide. her surviving
brother Mr.. Krol, Is perpexed to observe that
Mr.. Rosmer and Rebecca West dwelling in the
Ros!ner home, apparently in the fullest intimacy,
and, being wishful to avert a scandal. he desires
and recommends that their relation whatever
il is shall be 'legalized." Rosmer is not only
willing but desircus 10 marry Rebecca, but Re
becca shies matrimony. What does it all mean?
II all means nothing: else il means that Re-
beccas mind is unbalanced. What else can 1t
mean? There is, indeed, in the remarks made by
Rosmer and by Rebecca, much mystic deliverance
to perfect emancipation and marching
in freedom side by side, Il knew
ples;'' cries Rebecca. Il stood in of no human
relation" obviously. when she plotting and
lying supplant another woman in the affection
OF her husband and driving that poor creature to
madness and self-mUrderi Our bond has been a
spiritual marriage" says Rosmer to Rebecca. II
Will devote my life, and all my energies, the
creation of true democracy in this country" Il
have emancipated myself entirely, and on every
side Il was sure ! could reach you' says
Rebecca. 'un you were free man. both in cir
cuTnstances and in mind Morality" says Ros-
mer, is an instructive law among the unbelievng
and the emsncpated." Mr.. Krol the contrary,
insinuates the opinion that there is unfathom-
ably gulf between free thought and free love"
Beneath this perplexing of circumstances and
beneath these diverse and iatulent sentiments
there appears to be lurking suggestion that love
and marriage are conditions 10 be ignored and
avoided. Rebecca states 10 Rosmer Il have a past
behind me- lit could not be anywhere else, and
that she has lost her innocence and never can
recover it: whereupon ROsmer states Rebecca
that unless she will at jump overheard and
drown herself, his wife Beatta did for his sake
he cannot believe that her mind has been ennobled
by his influence recover his faith in his mission
20 ennobie human souls This would seem to
imply that complete msncipation" is only 10 be
obtained by drowning, process which appears, in
deed. 10 be efectual and. obviously. is final. Re-
becca asseIts 10 that method of exit and Rosner
is much pleased that he proposes make the
plunge in her company: The husband shall go
with his wife.' he says, 'as the wife with her
husband" Yes" says Rebecca: but just tell
this-is il you VINO with me. is IL who go
with you?' That conundrum remains unanswered.
Both these eccentric persons jump into the mill
race and perish, and that is the grand catastrophe
So IL b. Gras, hoe.