30 Questions
What was Henrik Ibsen's role in the newly established Norwegian Theater in Bergen?
Stage manager and producer
What was the outcome of Ibsen's work in Bergen?
He concentrated on romantic and folkloristic themes
What was Ibsen's weakness as a producer?
He was too amiable and timid to criticize actors
What was Jones' goal for drama?
To make it representative of an age, illustrative of national tendencies, and current of thought
What was the limitation of Jones and Pinero's work?
They failed to devise a new technique for the new drama
Why did Ibsen leave Norway in 1864?
He was facing financial debts and worries
Who provoked a fierce controversy on the English stage?
Henrick Ibsen
Who assisted Ibsen in obtaining a small scholarship?
His friend, Bjornson
What was the outcome of the controversy sparked by Ibsen's work?
Victory was gained by the Ibsenites
How long did Ibsen spend in voluntary exile?
25 years
What is important to consider when studying Ibsen's work?
The development of Ibsen the dramatist together with that of Ibsen the man
What did Ibsen experience during his lifetime?
A series of happenings that affected the future of mankind
What was Ibsen's approach to character development?
He employed prose and realistic observations to portray human beings.
Why did Ibsen's contemporaries label him a social propagandist?
He tackled social issues, but did not offer solutions.
What did Ibsen's daily routine include?
Observing people and writing down notes
How did Ibsen view his role in addressing social issues?
As an artist expressing feelings and views
What was the primary impact of Ibsen's influence on other writers?
It raised awareness of dramatic technique
What kind of drama did Ibsen write?
Tragedy in the ancient acceptance
What literary style is evident in Shaw's work, particularly in Heartbreak House?
Symbolism
What is peculiar about Clara Eynsford Hill's character?
She is a useless wannabe with no character of her own
Why did Shaw employ comedy in his works?
To produce greater effects when conveying a social message
What literary element is characterized by paradox, wit, and humorous characters?
Comedy
Why does Higgins have difficulty recalling the Eynsford Hills?
They have no distinct characteristics
What is the main theme of Shaw's work, particularly in relation to idealism?
Anti-idealism
What does Act IV of the play show about Higgins' limitations?
He cannot change his natural traits
What percentage of people, according to Shaw, are Philistines?
700 out of 1000
What is the underlying tone of Act III?
The critique of polite Victorian society
What is the ultimate goal of realists, according to Shaw?
To strip masks off reality
What is a significant aspect of Eliza's character in contrast to Clara's?
Eliza is a strong willed person
Where do the trio return to at the end of Act III?
Higgins' laboratory
Study Notes
Henrick Ibsen's Early Life and Career
- Ibsen's second work, "The Warriors Mound" (1850), improved his financial position.
- He became the stage manager and producer at the Norwegian Theater in Bergen, where he wrote plays in the fashion of the day.
- Ibsen's work in Bergen allowed him to go on a study tour to Copenhagen and Dresden, where he learned from French plays by Scribe and Sardou.
Founding of the Norwegian Theatre in Christiania
- In 1857, Ibsen was offered the directorship of the newly founded Norwegian Theatre in Christiania, which he accepted.
- He married Susanna Thoreson, who helped him navigate the theatre's practical difficulties.
- The theatre struggled financially, and Ibsen incurred many debts, but his friend Bjornson helped him obtain a small scholarship to leave Norway and go abroad.
Ibsen's Voluntary Exile and Dramatic Development
- Ibsen left Norway in 1864 for nearly 25 years, which molded his life and art.
- During this time, he developed a new dramatic technique, which provoked a fierce controversy on the English stage.
Ibsen's Dramatic Style and Themes
- Ibsen's plays tackled real social problems, making him a pioneer in dramatic material.
- He used prose to portray realistic characters and explored themes like the emancipation of women, political and social corruption, and social determinism.
- Ibsen was an artist first and foremost, expressing his feelings and views about social problems without offering solutions.
Influence of Ibsen on Other Writers
- Ibsen's influence on dramatic technique was significant, and his work made other writers more conscious of social problems.
- Symbolism in Shaw's "Heartbreak House" shows traces of Tebekov and Ibsen.
Bernard Shaw's Comedy and Themes
- Shaw used comedy to produce greater effects, particularly when dealing with social messages.
- His comedy lies in paradox, wit, humorous characters, unconventional behavior, and dialogue.
- Shaw's major themes include anti-idealism, reacting against idealism in favor of realism.
Shaw's Anti-Idealism
- Shaw believed that realists stand against dead conventions, worn-out ideals, and render a great service to mankind.
- He argued that idealists set up fancy masks between themselves and reality, living in a visionary world.
- According to Shaw, only one realist in every 1000 people strips the masks off reality, facing persecution and opposition.
Analysis of "Pygmalion" by Shaw
- The play exposes the clumsiness and vapidity of polite Victorian society, questioning the making of a duchess out of a flower girl.
- Higgins is incapable of being the romantic hero of the play, and his inability to change is ironic.
- The play highlights the contrast between the feisty and opinionated Eliza and the useless wannabe Clara Eynsford Hill.
Explore the role of drama in representing national life, tackling social problems, and the importance of technique. Learn about Jones and Pinero's contributions to the field.
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