Publisher's Synopsis
When the lighthouse keeper's daughter Ellida meets the widower Dr Wangel, she tries to put her long-lost first love far behind her and begin a new life as a wife and stepmother. But the tide is turning, an English ship is coming down the fjord, and the undercurrents threaten to drag a whole family beneath the surface in this passionate and sweeping drama. Ellida must choose between the values of the land: solidity and reliability against those of the sea: mystery and fluidity.Ibsen's lyrical and still startlingly modern masterpiece, anticipated the emergence of psychoanalysis and talking cures. Similar to Hedda Gabler and A Doll's House, The Lady from the Sea vibrantly explores the constrained social position of women, exploring themes of choice, marriage, responsibility and freedom.(SCENE.-DOCTOR WANGEL'S house, with a large verandah garden in front of and around the house. Under the verandah a flagstaff. In the garden an arbour, with table and chairs. Hedge, with small gate at the back. Beyond, a road along the seashore. An avenue of trees along the road. Between the trees are seen the fjord, high mountain ranges and peaks. A warm and brilliantly clear summer morning.BALLESTED, middle-aged, wearing an old velvet jacket, and a broad-brimmed artist's hat, stands under the flagstaff, arranging the ropes. The flag is lying on the ground. A little way from him is an easel, with an outspread canvas. By the easel on a camp-stool, brushes, a palette, and box of colours. BOLETTE WANGEL comes from the room opening on the verandah. She carries a large vase with flowers, which she puts down on the table.)Bolette. Well, Ballested, does it work smoothly?Ballested. Certainly, Miss Bolette, that's easy enough. May I ask-do you expect any visitors today?Bolette. Yes, we're expecting Mr. Arnholm this morning. He got to town in the night.Ballested. Arnholm? Wait a minute-wasn't Arnholm the man who was tutor here several years ago?Bolette. Yes, it is he.Ballested. Oh, really! Is he coming into these parts again?Bolette. That's why we want to have the flag up.Ballested. Well, that's reasonable enough.(BOLETTE goes into the room again. A little after LYNGSTRAND enters from the road and stands still, interested by the easel and painting gear. He is a slender youth, poorly but carefully dressed, and looks delicate.)Lyngstrand (on the other side of the hedge). Good-morning. Ballested (turning round). Hallo! Good-morning. (Hoists up flag). That's it! Up goes the balloon. (Fastens the ropes, and then busies himself about the easel.) Good-morning, my dear sir. I really don't think I've the pleasure of-Lyngstrand. I'm sure you're a painter.Ballested. Of course I am. Why shouldn't I be?Lyngstrand. Yes, I can see you are. May I take the liberty of coming in a moment?Ballested. Would you like to come in and see?Lyngstrand. I should like to immensely.Ballested. Oh! there's nothing much to see yet. But come in. Come a little closer.Lyngstrand. Many thanks. (Comes in through the garden gate.)