Book: Peer Gynt
Basic Information:
Author: Henrik Ibsen, translated by Rolf Fjelde
Edition: Paperback
Publisher: Signet Classic
ISBN: 9780486426860 (ISBN10: 0486426866)
Start Date: July 31, 2023
Read Date: August 7, 2023
253 pages
Genre: Play, Book Group
Language Warning: None
Rated Overall: 4 out of 5
Fiction-Tells a good story: 3 out of 5
Fiction-Character development: 4 out of 5
Synopsis (Caution: Spoiler Alert-Jump to Thoughts):
Ibsen takes us through Peer Gynt’s life from the time he was a young man to close to his death. While not a biography, but more of an idea of his character. Peer Gynt’s character is not one of outstanding citizenship. He drinks too much, he is a teller of stories without a useful trade.
The opening act had Peer Gynt stealing a bride at a wedding, leaving his mother stranded on top of a building. After stealing the bride, he abandons her. He then befriends another young woman. But before something happens there, Peer Gynt goes off with a mysterious Lady in Green. Turns out she is a troll and her father is the Troll King. Peer Gynt is willing to live with the trolls, up to a point. He escapes, but not before the female troll is with child.
Peer Gynt then lives out in the woods with Solveig, the woman who he befriended in the woods. But the Lady in Green comes to Peer Gynt and tells him she will always be with him. He leaves everything, makes his fortune in the United States on a plantation, selling slaves. He sells out, goes to Morocco to get involved in the Greek-Turkish civil war, but his friends betray him and run off with his ship.
Peer Gynt then finds a horse and fortune only to have it stolen by a slave girl. He hears some mysterious words from an Egyptian statue. Followed by almost being taken captive in an insane asylum. He is on a ship to return home, but then the ship sinks. He and the cook have grabbed hold of a plank which can only support one person. Gynt kicks him off and Gynt is rescued.
The final act has him meeting with the Button-Molder, a character which melts down souls which are not bad enough for hell and not good enough for heaven, for their essence to be used again. Gynt convinces him to let him go and make a list of his sins to show how bad he is. As much as Gynt tries, he cannot find anybody to vouch for him either way. The Button-Molder comes to him several times, but Gynt convinces him to have a little more time. Gynt comes to a house where he hears singing and it is Solveig. She pronounces him free from any sin.
Cast of Characters:
- Peer Gynt-pronounced Pair Gunt. Aase son. Maker of tales, very muscular, drunker, spent his family money, like his father
- Aase-Peer Gynt’s mother, somewhat a shrew
- Aslak-village blacksmith
- Ingrid-bride of Mads Moen
- Mads Moen-bridegroom
- Solveig-human who stays true to Peer Gynt. Name means house or sun and strength or way.
- Woman in Green/Old Woman-Troll King’s daughter
- Troll King-self explanatory
- Boyg-A voice in the Darkness
- Ugly Brat-Peer Gynt’s son through the Lady in Green
- Anitra-slave girl who Peer Gynt is interested in.
- Threadballs-the fruit of his thoughts
- Button-molder-Peer Gynt’s life is to be molded down and reused again.
Thoughts:
Over fifty years ago while in high school I read everything I could get my hands on by Ibsen. I am sure I did not understand what Ibsen was doing then. Hopefully I have gained a bit more insight about how to read a book.
Our book group is reading Bowie’s Bookshelf by John O’Connell O’Connell tries to identify the books which inspired Bowie’s songs. Our assignment is to read a book which inspired music and read the book. I am reading Peer Gynt with that in mind. Edvard Greig wrote a piece called the Peer Gynt Suite. Its opening has to be one of the best opening movements ever performed.
There are a lot of Christian references in this play. Many of them seem to be misquotes. In the introduction to the book, it is noted that Ibsen went on a retreat writing this play. He took along only a Bible to read. But do not get the idea this is a Christian play. It may have some of the references and influences of Christianity, but it is not. Such as the concept of the Button Molder where souls get refined to their essence-evil or good. Not Christian. Nor is Gynt’s life an exercise in seeking righteousness-he seems to live only for himself.
The closest which we come is the faithful Solveig who is always ready to take Gynt back, no matter what the misdeeds are. I wonder if Solveig is like the Church, when we operate right. Willing to take back the sinner, forgiving the sin as Christ has forgiven us, and always trying to woo the person back into its fold.
Act One
Scene One
Peer Gynt meets up with his mother. He and his clothing is worse for wear, ripped and all. He comes up with a story. His mother realizes she has heard this story before by someone else. He denies this is a copy. All of this is to cover that he has had a losing streak. His mother is on to his ways of being loose with their money.
She tells him that at one time Ingrid took a fancy to him, but now she is getting married to Mads. Peer Gynt takes off after plopping his mom on a rouf to keep her out of the way.
One telling remark made by Peer Gynt says that one’s luck has losing streaks only to spring up good as new! He feels like he will lose, but will rebond and win. There is no sense that he earns what happens to him nor does it lead to him working harder, but lets things happen to him.
Scene Two
He meets up with some of the townspeople as both are on the way to the wedding. They know him and he is made fun of because he is such a loser.
Scene Three
The bride is hiding from the groom. Peer Gynt is being shunned by everyone. He makes off with the bride, slung over his shoulder.
Act Two
Scene One
Scene between Ingrid and Peer Gynt. Peer Gynt is driving Ingrid away as he is tired of her. He has had his thrill of seduction. She tells him there is a price to be paid for this: his death.
Memories! The devil makes his home in them; he lives in every woman--All but one---! Gynt does not name this one. But there is a kernel of truth in the term memories. They are good to think about, but they can also lead to depression.
Scene Two
Aase tells her woes, but is loyal to her son. While Solveig’s mother and father think Peer Gynt is a scoundrel who does not deserve his mother. Solveig wants to know more about him.
Scene Three
The mob is after Peer Gynt. He meets three girls and sleeps with them.
Scene Four
Peer Gynt goes to the Ronde Mountains which are part of the Dorve Range.
Scene Five
The Lady in Green meets Peer Gynt. They are infatuated with each other. The Lady notes that in her father’s kingdom everything can be seen two ways. Such as the pig they are riding into the castle is imagined to be a stallion. But then there is the CS Lewis retort in That Hideous Strength:
“I suppose there are two views about everything,” said Mark.
“Eh? Two views? There are a dozen views about everything until you know the answer. Then there’s never more than one.”
Scene Six
Royal Hall of the Troll King. The Lady in Green is the Troll King’s daughter. Peer Gynt wants a kingdom so this is one way to becoming a king. But the price to be paid is the Peer Gynt needs to become a troll and see things like a troll. Peer Gynt is willing to do a lot, such as eat and drink like a troll, even wear a tail like a troll. But when it means seeing things like a troll, he wants out and is attacked.
What he sees is a cow and a sow-this is the Lady in Green and her stead. He sees things in human terms. The Troll King will alter his eyesight.
Peer Gynt was asked What’s the difference between a troll and a man? Peer Gyntt says that he can see no difference. But the Troll King says that there is a difference: They [a man]: “Man, to yourself be true!” While here, under our mountain roof, We say: “Troll, to yourself be--enough!” The notes at the back of the book as this coming from Augustine. That this was the fundamental fall of Man.
Scene Seven
Peer Gynt escapes when the church bells ring. Very symbolic that the church will free you.
He now encounters the Boyg, the bodiless, faceless voice. Peer Gynt wants to go straight through; Boyg wants him to go around. When asked who the Boyg is? The only response is Myself. Boyg’s self description is rather all encompassing and also not very helpful as a description. But one thing the Boyg will not fight, even if it is attacked. Its method seems to encompass.
At the end, the Boyg says that He was too strong. There were women behind him.
Scene Eight
Solveig and her sister are waiting for Peer Gynt, but run when he approaches. They are the ones who rang the church bells.
Act Three
Scene One
Is Peer Gynt going insane? He is attacking a tree.
Scene Two
Because of Peer Gynt defiling Ingrid, Aase is left destitute. Almost everything has been stripped of her belongings, even much of her clothing. She can retain the house until she dies.
Scene Three
Peer Gynt has built a house. Solveig comes along and commits to stay with him. But then an old lady and a ugly brat come along. Peer Gynt then understands that this is the Lady in Green and his child. She vows that whenever he gets close to Solveig, she will slip in between. Peer Gynt runs away, leaving Solveig.
Scene Four
Peer Gynt comes to see his mother. She dies as he is telling a prophetic story about her going to St Peter’s.
Act Four
Scene One
Essentially Peer Gynt has run away. He has grown rich by becoming an owner of a plantation and trading slaves. He has traded idols to the Chinese while alleviating his conscience by allowing passage of missionaries there as well. Now he is in Morocco with his friends. He says that If man is made for pleasure, let his pleasure thrive. … the past is dead. What’s done is done. He wants to rule the world. He wants to rule the world through money.
He says that One needs a faith in something sure---I took religion, in little sips; It goes down easier that way.
His plans are to intervene with his wealth in the Greek-Turkish Civil War-on the side of the Turks. His friends are all for intervention, on the side of the Greeks.
Scene Two
The friends steal his yacht. He prays for justice and gets frustrated. Says that God is always busy and deaf someplace else than where he wants him to be. And the yacht blows up.
I wondered about Ibsen here. What is he trying to say? Does God listen? What kind of God does Ibsen think he is writing about? It almost seems farcical.
Scene Three
The emperor’s horse and riches are gone
Scene Four
Still in Morocco. But he does not have anything to survive on. He asks the central point of the book: What is man anyway? He is trying to beat off a pack of monkeys.
Scene Five
He stumbles upon a cache which some thieves have left, including a horse. He assumes this is for him and makes off with it
Scene Six
The Prophet has come-Peer Gynt. He is surrounded by affluence in Morocco. He is infatuated with Anita, a slave girl. He starts to be very giving towards her.
Scene Seven
He tries to seduce Anita, in reality it is Anitra who has seen through him and seduced him.
Scene Eight
He lets her be in possession of everything of his. She runs off with his horse, leaving him with nothing.
Scene Nine
Reflection on being taken.
Scene Ten
A woman says she will be true to her love, even though he has left her-this is a soliloquy (Solveig and Peer Gynt)
Scene Eleven
He is now in Egypt, Memnon’s Statue. He hears the statue speak to him-this phenomena has been reported in other places, most reliably around 196AD. It tells him a riddle
Scene Twelve
He talks to a German. The German asks what he is? Peer Gynt says What is he? Nothing to that. He’s himself. The German proclaims him to be The Interpreter’s Emperor.
Scene Thirteen
Now in Cairo. The German is really the keeper of an insane asylum. Peer Gynt is lead in and has conversations with several inmates. He decides this is not his place.
Act Five
Scene One
Peer Gynt is sailing back to Norway. He offers the crew additional money, which the captain said will be appreciated since they all have families to feed. He withdraws the offer. There is a storm. A strange passenger talks about death. The Captain said that Peer Gynt is the only passenger. The ship is being driven into some reefs.
Scene Two
The cook and Peer Gynt are clinging to an overturned boat. Peer Gynt forces him off so that the boat will remain afloat. The stranger passenger comes alongside Peer Gynt and talks amore with him. The passenger comments that No one dies half way through the last act.
Scene Three
Peer Gynt is passing by a funeral. He listens a long way into the sermon. The pastor says that the person he was great because he was himself. The theme of the play. It turns out that earlier Peer Gynt saw a man cut off his finger so that he would not need to serve in the Norwegian Army against Prussia. The funeral was for this man. The pastor notes that he is no longer a cripple.
Peer Gynt says that Now thats what I call Christianity! Nothing unpleasant to jar the mind. That seems to be a watered down version of Christianity. It should jar oneself to the whole being.
Scene Four
He meets up with people whom he used to know and they are talking about Peer Gynt.They do not recognize him.
Scene Five
Peer Gynt comes back to his hut. Solveig is there. No second chance to play! Oh dread--! Here’s where my empire lay.
Scene Six
Peer Gynt is now faced with his life. He is faced with his children-who were forsaken. Then there are withered leaves which are the things Peer Gynt should have spoken and done. The air sighed with the things which should have brought joy, but are now poisoned. Dewdrops of tears which should have been shed, but are now just a barb in the bone. Broken Straw-deeds which should have been done. His mother’s cry saying she has been misled with all the tales Peer Gynt told.
Scene Seven
Peer Gynt meets the Button-Molder. The Button-Molder is one which takes a life, distalls all which is solid in it and what is left is used for another life. Only the truly wicked and truly good will go on to their destination.
Peer Gynt wants to show that he has been himself all his life. He wants to get testimonies about this. The Button-Molder is not convinced this will happen, but lets him go off until the next crossroads.
Scene Eight
Peer Gynt meets the Troll King who is now a broken down old man. The Troll King has been usurped by his grandson. Peer Gynt wants a reference from the Troll King that he had been true to himself. But that is not how the King remembers it. He says that Peer Gynt acted much more like a troll than a human.
Scene Nine
Peer Gynt is at the crossroads again. Peer Gynt asks the Button-Molder, What is it, “to be yourself”, in truth? He answers: To be yourself is to sly yourself. … So let’s say: to make your life evolve from the Master’s meaning to the last detail. The Peer Gynt asks, but how does a person know what he is made for? The answer is that He has intuitions. A person does not get to start over. Peer Gynt wants to find a priest to confess to.
Scene Ten
Instead of a priest, Peer Gynt starts walking with a cloves-hoof devil. The devil rejects him as not having enough sin to waste fuel on.The devil notes that the pickings are lean. Gynt asks, is it because the race has been getting better? No it is because they are not very much of anything.
Devil is looking for Peer Gynt. Peer Gynt sends him down to the Cape. He meets up with the Button-Molder again. They travel along when Peer Gynt hears a woman singing and realizes this is where he can get a list of his sins. The Button-Molder gives him one more chance.
He comes to his hut and finds Soleig there. She says there was no sin. That he has made her life a beautiful song. Peer Gynt asks her to solve a riddle: Where has he been this many a year? She says: In my faith, in my hope, and in my love.
The Button-Molder says that he will meet Peer Gynt at the final crossroads.
I wonder about this scene. I wonder if Ibsen has Solveig being almost like the Church where you sin and live your life. Rather than driving you away, the sins are forgiven and you are welcomed back in. But I may be reading too much into this.
Evaluation:
I first read this play in high school and I am sure I did not understand it like I do now and I am not sure that I understand it really well now. But it is a play well worth reading, if for no other reason to examine your own life like Peer Gynt had to do at the end of his.
Peer Gynt is a scoundrel. He steals both things and women. He is a slaver and care not for the rightness of a side, only the money which could be gotten. Even when life is at stake, he only cares about his own and none of others. And yet at the end, he is definitely not good enough to be a saint, but not bad enough to be condemned. In other words, his life is worthless and will soon be remade into someone else's life. What Gynt fears most is oblivion and that is what he is facing.
The end it is the love of his wife whom he long ago left is what counts for him. Even as far away as Peer Gynt has been, Solveig says that he has been In my faith, in my hope, and in my love. And that is how Ibsen leaves us, to realize that if anything is to save us, it is love.
Notes from my book group:
Peer Gynt says in Act One, Scene 1 that one’s luck has losing streaks only to spring up good as new! How is this sentence representative of Gynt’s life in this play? Is this way of living sustainable? Desirable?
The Lady in Green notes that everything in her father’s kingdom can be seen in two ways. What significance does this have? Is Isben trying to relay a message to us? What
What is the difference between a troll and a man? The Troll King says: They [a man]: “Man, to yourself be true!” While here, under our mountain roof, We say: “Troll, to yourself be--enough!” Talk about the difference? What is being true to yourself?
Peer Gynt escapes the trolls when the church bells ring. What significance is this?
When Gynt faces the Boyg, the Boyg says that he is myself! What kind of answer is that? Why is the Boyg an obstacle for Gynt? In Egypt, Gynt gives almost the same answer when asked, who he is. And then Gynt passes a funeral where the minister says that he[the dead man] was great because he was himself.What is Ibsen saying?
In Morocco, Peer Gynt asks the question, What is man anyway? How does Gynt/Ibsen answer that question? What is a person made for in Ibsen’s view?
Ibsen, when writing this play, went on a retreat, only taking a Bible for reading. Where in the play do you see Christian influence? Do you think the influence was true to Christianity as you know it? Note: At one place Gynt says: Now thats what I call Christianity! Nothing unpleasant to jar the mind.
When Peer Gynt interacts with the Button Molder, what criteria does the Button Molder use to judge a life? How does Peer Gynt stack up? Why is Gynt afraid of how the Button Molder evaluates him? How does that stack up with the reality of the end of life as you know it?
Solveig is faithful to Peer Gynt, even after a period of years. This goes from when they first meet to the ringing of church bells to absolving Gynt. Why does she still love Gynt and forgive his sins? Is Solveig a representation of something?
There are only a few mentions of God in this book, such as Peer Gynt thinking that God is too busy to give revenge upon his friends for stealing his ship. How does Ibsen portray God? How does Isben have God act in this play?
How do you want your life to change because you read this book?
Many of these questions are either from or adapted from LitLovers.
Why the title of Peer Gynt?
Does this story work? Or is there something missing?
Did the ending seem fitting? Satisfying? Predictable?
Which character was the most convincing? Least?
Which character did you identify with?
Which one did you dislike?
Every story has a world view. Were you able to identify this story’s world view? What was it? How did it affect the story?
In what context was religion talked about in this book?
Was there anybody you would consider religious?
How did they show it?
Was the book overtly religious?
How did it affect the book's story?
Why do you think the author wrote this play?
What would you ask the author if you had a chance?
What “takeaways” did you have from this book?
How did this book affect your view of the world?
Of how God is viewed?
What questions did you ask yourself after reading this book?
Talk about specific passages that struck you as significant—or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad...?
What was memorable?
Good Quotes:
- First Line: Peer, your lying!
- Last Line: Sleep and dream, my dearest boy!
References:
- Wikipedia-Book
- Wikipedia-Author
- Amazon-Book
- Amazon-Author
- GoodReads-Book
- GoodReads-Author
- Washington Post Review
- Lillehammer
- SuperSummary
- The Norwegian Ibsen Company
- Britannica
- YouTube=Commentary by Michael Tilson Thomas-commentary on relationship with Greig and Ibsens story, Amherst 2017 production of the play and music by Grieg
