Monologue

Mrs Alving Monologue from Ghosts

From Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen

female · anguished · 1:46 min

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That has been my ceaseless struggle, day after day. After Oswald's birth, I thought Alving seemed to be a little better. But it did not last long. And then I had to struggle twice as hard, fighting as though for life or death, so that nobody should know what sort of man my child's father was. And you know what power Alving had of winning people's hearts. Nobody seemed able to believe anything but good of him. He was one of those people whose life does not bite upon their reputation. But at last, Mr. Manders--for you must know the whole story--the most repulsive thing of all happened. (MANDERS: More repulsive than what you have told me?) I had gone on bearing with him, although I knew very well the secrets of his life out of doors. But when he brought the scandal within our own walls-- (MANDERS: Impossible! Here!) Yes; here in our own home. It was there (Pointing towards the first door on the right), in the dining-room, that I first came to know of it. I was busy with something in there, and the door was standing ajar. I heard our housemaid come up from the garden, with water for those flowers.

About this piece

Mrs. Alving reflects on her struggles to protect her child's reputation from the dark truths about his father, revealing her inner turmoil and the societal pressures she faces.

40s · despair · betrayal · identity · family · power

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