Subject
Domestic drama Books
Best books
Henrik Ibsen
Ghosts
"Ghosts" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1881. This controversial drama follows widow Helen Alving as she prepares to dedicate an orphanage in memory of her unfaithful late husband. When her son Oswald returns home, long-buried family secrets begin to surface, threatening to destroy the carefully maintained façade of respectability. The play explores the devastating consequences of following society's moral code, confronting taboo subjects that scandalized 19th-century audiences and challenged conventional notions of duty, truth, and maternal sacrifice.
Steele MacKaye
Pride and Prejudice, a play founded on Jane Austen's novel
"Pride and Prejudice" by Mrs. Steele Mackaye, founded on Jane Austen's novel, is a play written in the early 20th century. This adaptation retains the spirit of Austen's original story, focusing on themes of love, class, and societal expectations as experienced by its central characters, particularly Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. Through witty dialogue and a critique of social norms, the play explores the complexities of relationships with humor and insight. The opening of the play introduces the Bennet family at their residence, Longbourn, where Mrs. Bennet excitedly informs Mr. Bennet of the arrival of Mr. Bingley, a wealthy bachelor who could potentially marry one of their daughters. The conversation quickly reveals Mrs. Bennet's persistent aspiration to secure advantageous marriages for her daughters, highlighting the pressures of societal expectations. Elizabeth and Jane, the two elder Bennet sisters, are characterized through their exchanges, showcasing Elizabeth's spirited nature and Jane's gentility. The encounter also foreshadows the dynamics between the Bennets and their new neighbors, particularly the proud Mr. Darcy and the charming Mr. Wickham, setting the stage for the intricate interplay of love and pride that unfolds throughout the story.
Friedrich Schiller
Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy
"Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy" by Friedrich Schiller is a five-act play written in 1784. When Ferdinand, a nobleman's son, falls in love with Luise, daughter of a middle-class musician, their forbidden romance faces deadly opposition. Ferdinand's powerful father schemes to marry him off to the duke's mistress instead, while a sinister plot involving false letters and forced oaths threatens to destroy the young lovers' bond. This bourgeois tragedy explores class conflict and individual freedom against courtly intrigue in eighteenth-century Germany.
Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
The Three Sisters
Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(play)
James Joyce
Exiles: A Play in Three Acts
"Exiles: A Play in Three Acts" by James Joyce is a play written in 1915. Joyce's only extant drama follows writer Richard Rowan and his common-law wife Bertha as they return to Ireland from Rome. There they reunite with old friends Robert Hand and Beatrice Justice, igniting tensions of jealousy and desire. When Robert attempts to seduce Bertha, Richard insists she must choose freely. The play explores questions of human freedom, dignity, and sexual relationships through ambiguous encounters that leave both characters and audience uncertain about what truly transpired.
Eugene O'Neill
Beyond the Horizon
"Beyond the Horizon" by Eugene O'Neill is a drama written in the early 20th century. The play explores the lives of the Mayo family, focusing primarily on the brothers Robert and Andrew, as they grapple with their contrasting dreams and aspirations against the backdrop of their rural farm life. The narrative examines themes of longing, love, and the harsh realities of life, particularly as Robert prepares to leave for a sea voyage, spurred by his desire for adventure and an escape from his existence. At the start of the play, we are introduced to Robert Mayo, a sensitive and dream-filled young man who is about to embark on a journey that will take him away from home for three years. As he converses with his pragmatic brother Andrew, their different perspectives on life and duty become evident. Robert's yearning for the beauty and mystery of the world beyond the horizon clashes with Andrew's grounded commitment to the family farm. This dynamic is further complicated by the presence of Ruth, a mutual love interest of both brothers, which hints at underlying tensions and emotional conflicts that are likely to unfold as the story progresses. The opening sets the stage for a poignant exploration of dreams, familial bonds, and the inevitability of change.
Henrik Ibsen
Spettri: dramma in tre atti
"Spettri: dramma in tre atti" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1881. A widow prepares to dedicate an orphanage honoring her late husband, whose hidden transgressions she concealed to protect their son. As the dedication approaches, devastating revelations emerge about inherited disease, forbidden love, and a shocking family secret. When fire destroys the orphanage, Mrs. Alving faces an impossible moral choice that tests the limits of maternal devotion. Ibsen's controversial drama challenged 19th-century morality by exploring the consequences of upholding society's codes.
Henrik Ibsen
Gespenster: Ein Familiendrama in drei Aufzügen
"Gespenster: Ein Familiendrama in drei Aufzügen" by Henrik Ibsen is a play written in 1881. A widow prepares to open an asylum honoring her deceased husband's memory, while her son returns home after twenty years abroad. As Pastor Manders arrives to finalize arrangements, long-buried family secrets begin to surface. The household servant Regine becomes entangled in revelations about her true parentage, and the respected late Captain Alving's carefully constructed reputation starts to crumble, exposing the devastating consequences of hidden sins and social conventions.
Henrik Ibsen
Kummittelijoita: Kolminäytöksinen perhenäytelmä
"Kummittelijoita: Kolminäytöksinen perhenäytelmä" by Henrik Ibsen is a three-act family drama likely written during the late 19th century. The play delves into complex themes surrounding family dynamics, societal expectations, and personal struggles, centered on the character of Rouva Helena Alving, her son Osvald Alving, and other figures such as Pastori Manders and Puuseppä Engstrand. Ibsen’s work often explores the darker aspects of human relationships and societal norms, making this drama a significant exploration of familial and moral conflicts. The opening of the play introduces us to a garden-room setting where we meet several key characters. Engstrand, a carpenter, interacts with Regina, a servant, who pushes him away while expressing disdain. Their exchange hints at underlying tensions and Engstrand’s desire for Regina to join him should he move back to the city. They discuss the arrival of Pastor Manders, who walks into the room following their conversation. He brings with him a more formal tone, and Rouva Alving soon joins the scene. The dynamic between these characters sets the stage for revelations about past relationships and current aspirations, indicating a brewing conflict within the household as they prepare for the inauguration of a children's home — a project closely linked to Helena's deceased husband’s legacy. The dialogue captures a sense of unease and a lingering contemplation about the past, hinting at deeper troubles that may unfold as the story progresses.
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