The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-23
A MERCILESS SOCIAL sU1GEAN
Ibsen's Works All Attack Abuses as
He Saw Them.

While Ibsen probably did as much
as other writer's to bring Norwegian
literature into world prominence, there
is little about his writings to attract
or amuse. They shock or startle, but
they possess none of the elements of
popularity as that word is commonly
interpreted by later-d day literati. At
the same time there is something about
his works that has given them great
vogue, proba bly, because of the merci-
less manner in which he attacks society
at any point where weakness exists &C
cording to his notion. Practically every
one OF his poems. novels or plays is
a. purpose production assailing an
abuse with the stern, almost brutal
vlgor OF which Ibsen was master. Many
Of his works attack conditions not gen
| lies the secret of the fierce "Ibsen con-
troversies' which were waged earlier
| in his career. He never apoIogized for
| his attacks, never admitted the posi-
| bility of error, and it was not strange
| that this attitude not only operated to
make his literary work unpopular even
among those who admitted his genius,
well. He was an extremist in his work,
but, did not verify the tradition that
such man attracts his friends as
strongly as he repells his enemies
Early in his career he was abused. AS
he grew patriarchal and famous, his
associates conceived more respect fol-
him, due to the impression he had made
upon the world of letters. His position
| suited him; he believed thoroly that
| the really strong men stand most alone
/ By Isben's countrymen the poems
"Brand' and "Peer Gynt' are con
sidered his greatest works, both being
intensely national, but nevertheless Of
universal application. Brand, the here
Of the first, represents protest agains
compromise, while "Peer Gynt,' some
times styled "the Scandinavian Faust, ,
is an analysis Of the human soul. TIL
modern life dramas are the works b.
which Ibsen is best known to the worlt
at large. The, setting only is .Norwe
VIDE VIDE extension. 1TRe Pillars p la s. Of ' So
? ciety" is at attack upon hypocricy a
exemplifed in the principal parsonage
in small town, while "a Doll
House, which has had wide popu
larity in America, is CONCERNED with tn
haps, the most impressive and awesom
Of all Of Ibsen 3 works, its theme be
ing the consequences Of hereditar
! vices. "The Wild Duck' and Ros
! dramas; "Hedda Gabler'' presents i
the character OF Hedda a woman OF tn
) undomestic, selfish type, while the feal
, full price Of success forms the. motiv
! of "Master Builder solness.' Tn
theme of IA Dolls House, is in Ell
feet that of "Little Eyjolf,' but i
/ the latter Ibsen, who has hithert
seemed pessimistically to. foretell tn
dissolution Of modern society, now &C
mits a hope of it's regeneration.
Over Ibsen's works a vast amour
) of controversy has arisen, and he ha
been fercely assailed as cynical an
even immoral, and as zealously. de
Tended. There is nothing conventions
in the construction or motive Of hi
plays More than once the climax Q
the play is represented as occurrin
! prior to the opening Of the dram;
which is concerned only with the col
sequences. Ibsen has made deep in
preston upon the literature Of his Gel
, fury, and his fame is not likely
decrease.