Monologue

Mrs Alving Monologue from Ghosts

From Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen

female · anguished · 2:15 min

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I soon knew what to believe. Mr. Alving had his way with the girl; and that connection had consequences, Mr. Manders. (MANDERS: Such things in this house--in this house!) I had borne a great deal in this house. To keep him at home in the evenings, and at night, I had to make myself his boon companion in his secret orgies up in his room. There I have had to sit alone with him, to clink glasses and drink with him, and to listen to his ribald, silly talk. I have had to fight with him to get him dragged to bed-- (MANDERS: And you were able to bear all this!) I had to bear it for my little boy's sake. But when the last insult was added; when my own servant-maid--; then I swore to myself: This shall come to an end! And so I took the reins into my own hand--the whole control--over him and everything else. For now I had a weapon against him, you see; he dared not oppose me. It was then I sent Oswald away from home. He was nearly seven years old, and was beginning to observe and ask questions, as children do. That I could not bear. It seemed to me the child must be poisoned by merely breathing the air of this polluted home. That was why I sent him away. And now you can see, too, why he was never allowed to set foot inside his home so long as his father lived. No one knows what that cost me.

About this piece

Mrs. Alving reflects on her past decisions regarding her son and her oppressive marriage, revealing her struggle for control and the emotional toll of her choices.

40s · determination · family · power · isolation · redemption

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