Abstract

Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts: A Critical Study of Hereditary Genetics

Amir Hossain

In this research-work, I would like to focus on the impact of “Hereditary Genetics” in Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts through creating the characters of Captain Alving, Mrs. Alving, and Oswald. It highlights why Captain Alving is sexually attracted to his maid-servant, Johanna. Due to an illicit relation between Captain Alving and Johanna, Regina was born in the Alving heritage. In the context of the scientific study of genetics as well as heredity, this article shows how Oswald is affected by a venereal disease, ‘syphilis’ due to a sexual relation with his own halfsister, Regina. For this purpose, the researcher applies the theory of ‘heredity’, ‘genetics’, and ‘syphilis’ in the light of genetic science with a view to investigating the mystery of sexual enjoyment between master and maid-servant, as well as brother and sister. In fact, this paper aims to look at hereditary guilt of the 20th century Scandinavian bourgeois society.