How does Ibsen use the motif of decay, disease, illness, etc and to what effect? Use at least three quotes in the defense of you claim.
I think Ibsen uses the motif of decay, illness, and disease to show the deterioration of humanity and what we are becoming. Relling says " All right, I'll tell you, Mrs.Ekdal. He's suffering from an acute case of moralistic fever"(178). He is talking about Gregers and how he doesn't have any morals and therefore he can't find a true meaning and purpose in his life. He uses the moralistic disease to show that is lacking a quality of humanity and instead is becoming sick because of this. Hjalmar says while talking to Gregers "Gina didn't stay long here in the house; there was so much confusion- your mother's sickness and all"(125). I feel like the sickness that she had was the same perception that she passed down to Gregers which is now why he is "sick". It shows the deterioration of humanity because Gregers was given this perception that was a "sickness" that does not allow him to see his purpose in life. Also Hedvig's blindness is considered a sickness " Oh, you can well imagine, we haven't the heart to tell her. She suspects nothing. She's carefree, gay, and singing like a tiny bird, she's fluttering into life's eternal night" (148).Hedvig's sickness shows the deterioration of humanity because who she is changes because of her disadvantage and people treat her differently. Like Gregers she is giving this "disease" through a parent and it shows how their morals are being corrupted and are becoming different because of their adopted perception.
I think Ibsen uses the motif of decay, illness, and disease to show the deterioration of humanity and what we are becoming. Relling says " All right, I'll tell you, Mrs.Ekdal. He's suffering from an acute case of moralistic fever"(178). He is talking about Gregers and how he doesn't have any morals and therefore he can't find a true meaning and purpose in his life. He uses the moralistic disease to show that is lacking a quality of humanity and instead is becoming sick because of this. Hjalmar says while talking to Gregers "Gina didn't stay long here in the house; there was so much confusion- your mother's sickness and all"(125). I feel like the sickness that she had was the same perception that she passed down to Gregers which is now why he is "sick". It shows the deterioration of humanity because Gregers was given this perception that was a "sickness" that does not allow him to see his purpose in life. Also Hedvig's blindness is considered a sickness " Oh, you can well imagine, we haven't the heart to tell her. She suspects nothing. She's carefree, gay, and singing like a tiny bird, she's fluttering into life's eternal night" (148).Hedvig's sickness shows the deterioration of humanity because who she is changes because of her disadvantage and people treat her differently. Like Gregers she is giving this "disease" through a parent and it shows how their morals are being corrupted and are becoming different because of their adopted perception.
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