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Ghosts, by Henrik Ibsen, is a significant example of domestic tragedy. The themes of the play questions some institutions; such as the concept of family, conventions, freedom, gender roles and more importantly the influences of the past. Ibsen demonstrates the routines of a tragedy throughout the whole play. Accordingly, the end of the play shows an example of one of the characteristics of the tragedy. Oswald, the protagonist dies (not known exactly) with the help of Mrs. Alving, the antagonist.
Just from the very initial parts of the play, Mrs. Alving somehow tries to manipulate Oswald’s life in order not to bring him into disrepute due to his father’s sin. Near to the end of Act 1, Mrs. Alving says to Pastor Manders: “It seemed to me that the child would be poisoned if he breathed the air of this polluted house.” Consequently, she sends hım away from the poisonous atmosphere of the house. However, Oswald finds out somewhere in the play that it is too late, as he has the sins of his father, already.
When the matter comes out, Oswald says: “Mother, give me the sun.” I personally had difficulities in analyzing this thrilling statement. As far as I’m concerned, Ibsen relates this statement to the former situations. Because, as we know, Mrs. Alving manipulated Oswald’s life and his duty was to follow the steps. But now, everything is obvious and clear, Oswald wants her mother to do her very last duty over hım, and says “… what kind of a life was it that you gave me? I don’t want it. You shall take it back!”


In my opinion, Ibsen used “the sun” as a symbol of light, in other words the end of the hereditary sin. We know that Oswald is still single and there’s nobody left to keep the hereditary sin alive. That’s why Oswald says “give me the sun” implying the end of the inheritance and the influence of his father’s sin over the house.
Obviously, It can be said that, Oswald is the victim of not only...