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The Father (Strindberg play)

January 01, 1970

The Father (Swedish: Fadren) is a naturalistic tragedy by Swedish playwright August Strindberg, written in 1887. It is about the struggle between parents over the future of their child; resulting in the mother, using her cunning manipulative skills, subduing and finally destroying the father.

The Father at the Betty Nansen Teatret in Copenhagen in 1918. Peter Fjelstrup as The Captain and Thilda Fønss as Bertha.

Plot edit

Captain Adolph, an officer of the cavalry, and his wife, Laura, have a disagreement regarding the education of their daughter Bertha. Laura wants her to stay at home and become an artist, while Adolph wants Bertha to move into town and study to be a teacher. Adolph says that his decision is final, and that the law supports him, because, he points out, the woman sells her rights when she agrees to be married. The argument grows and becomes fierce.

Laura, cunning & manipulative, suggests that Adolph may in fact have no rights in the matter. Laura lies to the family doctor that Adolph may be mad, because, as an amateur scientist, he thinks he has discovered life on another planet by looking through a microscope. Adolph in fact has discovered signs of organic life by studying meteorites through a spectroscope. Laura also reveals to the doctor that she has obtained a letter that Adolph once wrote confessing that he himself feared he might go mad.

Trapped in Laura's web of manipulation, Adolph becomes frustrated and responds with violence — he throws a burning lamp in the direction of his wife as she exits. The moment he does that, he is sunk. He realizes that Laura has cunningly provoked him to commit this irrational act, which then becomes the pretext for having him committed. While waiting for the straitjacket to arrive, the pastor tells Laura she is incredibly strong. "Let me see your hand! Not one incriminating spot of blood to give you away!" he says, "One little innocent murder that the law can't touch; an unconscious crime!"[1] In a scene of intense emotional pathos, it is Margaret, the captain's old nurse, who cajoles the captain, who indeed has now been driven mad, into a straitjacket. Laura is presented as having a stronger will than her husband, who says to her: "You could hypnotize me when I was wide awake, so that I neither saw nor heard, only obeyed." As the captain suffers a stroke and dies, Bertha rushes to her mother, who exclaims, "My child! My own child!" as the pastor says, "Amen".[2][3]

Themes edit

This play expresses a recurrent theme in some Strindberg Naturalism: Laws and culture may influence the dynamics of men and women within their various social contracts. The play uncovers the inevitable struggle for legacy and power between the human sexes.[4] At the time the play was written, Strindberg's marriage was deteriorating with his wife Siri von Essen, and situations in the play could have very loosely resembled situations occurring in his failing marriage. Different religions, Methodist, Baptist, and an occult spiritualism, exist in the household and vie for Bertha's acceptance.[5] There are also references in the play to Greek Mythology and Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice and Hamlet.

Production background edit

Strindberg was aware of the literary discussions regarding what constituted naturalism in drama, and particularly the theory of Emile Zola, who was naturalism's chief proponent. Zola felt that the naturalistic playwright should observe life very carefully, and render it in a documentary fashion. In creating character the playwright should be scientific and show that character is determined by heredity and environment. And the playwright should apply understanding of psychology and physiology. Sets and costumes should be realistic, and the long expositions and complicated intrigues of romances and the "well-made play" should be avoided. Zola felt that the French drama had not achieved true naturalism, and Strindberg felt challenged to succeed where others had not.[6] Because of blasphemous comments, Strindberg found it hard for his work to be published and produced in Sweden. This play was the first Strindberg play to be produced outside of Scandinavia, in Berlin in 1890. The Father marked a turning point for Strindberg, as he went to a style of writing he deemed "artistic-psychological writing".

In an essay "Psychic Murder", written just after "The Father" was completed, Strindberg discusses Henrik Ibsen’s play Rosmersholm, and suggests how Ibsen might have handled Rebecca West’s "psychic murder" of Mrs. Rosmer, which Ibsen doesn't describe. It might be affected, according to Strindberg, by planting jealousy in Mrs. Rosmer's mind, the way Iago did to Othello. He then goes on to describe the very same methods that Laura uses against the Captain in The Father. The use of psychological elements in Strindberg's play move it closer to Naturalism than Ibsen's play.[7] There is almost a Darwinian struggle between the two principals, and Darwin's theory is referenced in the play.

English-language productions edit

Warner Oland's 1912 Broadway production of The Father was the first performance of a Strindberg play in the United States.[8] Oland (who would later become famous for his portrayals of Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan in Hollywood films) translated, produced, and starred in the production, which met with mixed reviews and closed after 31 performances.[9] Raymond Massey directed and starred in a 1949 Broadway production, which also featured Grace Kelly in the role of Bertha.[10]

The play has been translated by Peter Watts (1958), Michael Meyer (1964), Harry G. Carlson (1981), Michael Robinson (1998), Gregory Motton (2000) and Laurie Slade (2012). The role of the Captain has been played in the West End by Michael Redgrave (1948), Wilfrid Lawson (1953) and Trevor Howard (1964).[11] The play was adapted by John Osborne in 1989 a production at the Royal National Theatre. Osborne described himself as "Strindberg's Man in England" who was determined to be "the keeper of that unpredictable flame".[12]

In 2016, Theatre for a New Audience produced David Greig's version of the play in rep with Thornton Wilder's adaptation of Ibsen's A Doll's House. Both plays were directed by Arin Arbus and starred John Douglas Thompson and Maggie Lacey.[13]

Foreign-language adaptation edit

In 2019 a thirty-five-year-old theater group of Calcutta, Ushneek, produced an adaptation of this Strindberg play in Bengali as "Babai". The adaptation of the play and its stage-direction has been done by Ishita Mukhopadhyay. The Captain which has been trans-created as a college teacher doing research in astrophysics is played by Debshankar Halder. The wife's role is played by Srijata Bhattacharjee while the Doctor is played by Subhashis Mukhopadhyay.

Film adaptation edit

A Hindi film based on the play, Pita was made in India in 1991. The film was directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Govind Nihalani.

References edit

  1. ^ Strindberg, August. Carlson, Harry G. translator. Strindberg: Five Plays. University of California Press. 1983. Page 52. ISBN 0-520-04698-6.
  2. ^ Strindberg, August. Carlson, Harry G. translator. Strindberg: Five Plays. University of California Press. 1983. Page 62. ISBN 0-520-04698-6.
  3. ^ Lamm, Martin. Carlson, Harry G., translator/editor. August Strindberg. Benjamin Blom, Inc. 1971
  4. ^ Strindberg, August. Carlson, Harry G. translator. Strindberg: Five Plays. University of California Press.1983. Page 62. ISBN 0-520-04698-6.
  5. ^ Strindberg, August. Carlson, Harry G. translator. Strindberg: Five Plays. University of California Press. 1983. Page 22. ISBN 0-520-04698-6.
  6. ^ Madsen, Borge Gedso (1973). Strindberg's Naturalistic Theatre. Russell & Russell. p. 13. ISBN 0-8462-1729-5.
  7. ^ Lamm, Martin; Carlson, Harry G., translator/editor (1971). August Strindberg. Benjamin Blom, Inc. p. 205. {{cite book}}: |first2= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ Mantle, Burns (14 April 1912). "The Father Introduces Strindberg to America". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. J1.
  9. ^ "August Strindberg in America". New York Times. 25 October 1931. p. X4.
  10. ^ "The Father: Opening Night Credits". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 28 May 2016.
  11. ^ The Plays of Strindberg Volume 1 translated by Michael Meyer, Vintage, New York. 1974. ISBN 0-394-71698-1
  12. ^ Heilpern, John, John Osborne: A Patriot for Us, 2007, Random House, pp.446ff.
  13. ^ "A Doll's House & The Father". TFANA's 2015-2015 Season. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 28 May 2016.

External links edit

 
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
The Father
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Father (Strindberg play).
  • The Father at Project Gutenberg
  • ​The Father​ at the Internet Broadway Database
  •   The Father public domain audiobook at LibriVox

January 01, 1970
father, strindberg, play, father, swedish, fadren, naturalistic, tragedy, swedish, playwright, august, strindberg, written, 1887, about, struggle, between, parents, over, future, their, child, resulting, mother, using, cunning, manipulative, skills, subduing, . The Father Swedish Fadren is a naturalistic tragedy by Swedish playwright August Strindberg written in 1887 It is about the struggle between parents over the future of their child resulting in the mother using her cunning manipulative skills subduing and finally destroying the father The Father at the Betty Nansen Teatret in Copenhagen in 1918 Peter Fjelstrup as The Captain and Thilda Fonss as Bertha Contents 1 Plot 2 Themes 3 Production background 4 English language productions 5 Foreign language adaptation 6 Film adaptation 7 References 8 External linksPlot editCaptain Adolph an officer of the cavalry and his wife Laura have a disagreement regarding the education of their daughter Bertha Laura wants her to stay at home and become an artist while Adolph wants Bertha to move into town and study to be a teacher Adolph says that his decision is final and that the law supports him because he points out the woman sells her rights when she agrees to be married The argument grows and becomes fierce Laura cunning amp manipulative suggests that Adolph may in fact have no rights in the matter Laura lies to the family doctor that Adolph may be mad because as an amateur scientist he thinks he has discovered life on another planet by looking through a microscope Adolph in fact has discovered signs of organic life by studying meteorites through a spectroscope Laura also reveals to the doctor that she has obtained a letter that Adolph once wrote confessing that he himself feared he might go mad Trapped in Laura s web of manipulation Adolph becomes frustrated and responds with violence he throws a burning lamp in the direction of his wife as she exits The moment he does that he is sunk He realizes that Laura has cunningly provoked him to commit this irrational act which then becomes the pretext for having him committed While waiting for the straitjacket to arrive the pastor tells Laura she is incredibly strong Let me see your hand Not one incriminating spot of blood to give you away he says One little innocent murder that the law can t touch an unconscious crime 1 In a scene of intense emotional pathos it is Margaret the captain s old nurse who cajoles the captain who indeed has now been driven mad into a straitjacket Laura is presented as having a stronger will than her husband who says to her You could hypnotize me when I was wide awake so that I neither saw nor heard only obeyed As the captain suffers a stroke and dies Bertha rushes to her mother who exclaims My child My own child as the pastor says Amen 2 3 Themes editThis play expresses a recurrent theme in some Strindberg Naturalism Laws and culture may influence the dynamics of men and women within their various social contracts The play uncovers the inevitable struggle for legacy and power between the human sexes 4 At the time the play was written Strindberg s marriage was deteriorating with his wife Siri von Essen and situations in the play could have very loosely resembled situations occurring in his failing marriage Different religions Methodist Baptist and an occult spiritualism exist in the household and vie for Bertha s acceptance 5 There are also references in the play to Greek Mythology and Shakespeare s Merchant of Venice and Hamlet Production background editStrindberg was aware of the literary discussions regarding what constituted naturalism in drama and particularly the theory of Emile Zola who was naturalism s chief proponent Zola felt that the naturalistic playwright should observe life very carefully and render it in a documentary fashion In creating character the playwright should be scientific and show that character is determined by heredity and environment And the playwright should apply understanding of psychology and physiology Sets and costumes should be realistic and the long expositions and complicated intrigues of romances and the well made play should be avoided Zola felt that the French drama had not achieved true naturalism and Strindberg felt challenged to succeed where others had not 6 Because of blasphemous comments Strindberg found it hard for his work to be published and produced in Sweden This play was the first Strindberg play to be produced outside of Scandinavia in Berlin in 1890 The Father marked a turning point for Strindberg as he went to a style of writing he deemed artistic psychological writing In an essay Psychic Murder written just after The Father was completed Strindberg discusses Henrik Ibsen s play Rosmersholm and suggests how Ibsen might have handled Rebecca West s psychic murder of Mrs Rosmer which Ibsen doesn t describe It might be affected according to Strindberg by planting jealousy in Mrs Rosmer s mind the way Iago did to Othello He then goes on to describe the very same methods that Laura uses against the Captain in The Father The use of psychological elements in Strindberg s play move it closer to Naturalism than Ibsen s play 7 There is almost a Darwinian struggle between the two principals and Darwin s theory is referenced in the play English language productions editWarner Oland s 1912 Broadway production of The Father was the first performance of a Strindberg play in the United States 8 Oland who would later become famous for his portrayals of Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan in Hollywood films translated produced and starred in the production which met with mixed reviews and closed after 31 performances 9 Raymond Massey directed and starred in a 1949 Broadway production which also featured Grace Kelly in the role of Bertha 10 The play has been translated by Peter Watts 1958 Michael Meyer 1964 Harry G Carlson 1981 Michael Robinson 1998 Gregory Motton 2000 and Laurie Slade 2012 The role of the Captain has been played in the West End by Michael Redgrave 1948 Wilfrid Lawson 1953 and Trevor Howard 1964 11 The play was adapted by John Osborne in 1989 a production at the Royal National Theatre Osborne described himself as Strindberg s Man in England who was determined to be the keeper of that unpredictable flame 12 In 2016 Theatre for a New Audience produced David Greig s version of the play in rep with Thornton Wilder s adaptation of Ibsen s A Doll s House Both plays were directed by Arin Arbus and starred John Douglas Thompson and Maggie Lacey 13 Foreign language adaptation editIn 2019 a thirty five year old theater group of Calcutta Ushneek produced an adaptation of this Strindberg play in Bengali as Babai The adaptation of the play and its stage direction has been done by Ishita Mukhopadhyay The Captain which has been trans created as a college teacher doing research in astrophysics is played by Debshankar Halder The wife s role is played by Srijata Bhattacharjee while the Doctor is played by Subhashis Mukhopadhyay Film adaptation editA Hindi film based on the play Pita was made in India in 1991 The film was directed by acclaimed Indian filmmaker Govind Nihalani References edit Strindberg August Carlson Harry G translator Strindberg Five Plays University of California Press 1983 Page 52 ISBN 0 520 04698 6 Strindberg August Carlson Harry G translator Strindberg Five Plays University of California Press 1983 Page 62 ISBN 0 520 04698 6 Lamm Martin Carlson Harry G translator editor August Strindberg Benjamin Blom Inc 1971 Strindberg August Carlson Harry G translator Strindberg Five Plays University of California Press 1983 Page 62 ISBN 0 520 04698 6 Strindberg August Carlson Harry G translator Strindberg Five Plays University of California Press 1983 Page 22 ISBN 0 520 04698 6 Madsen Borge Gedso 1973 Strindberg s Naturalistic Theatre Russell amp Russell p 13 ISBN 0 8462 1729 5 Lamm Martin Carlson Harry G translator editor 1971 August Strindberg Benjamin Blom Inc p 205 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a first2 has generic name help CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Mantle Burns 14 April 1912 The Father Introduces Strindberg to America Chicago Daily Tribune p J1 August Strindberg in America New York Times 25 October 1931 p X4 The Father Opening Night Credits Internet Broadway Database Retrieved 28 May 2016 The Plays of Strindberg Volume 1 translated by Michael Meyer Vintage New York 1974 ISBN 0 394 71698 1 Heilpern John John Osborne A Patriot for Us 2007 Random House pp 446ff A Doll s House amp The Father TFANA s 2015 2015 Season 10 November 2010 Retrieved 28 May 2016 External links edit nbsp Wikisource has original text related to this article The Father nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Father Strindberg play The Father at Project Gutenberg The Father at the Internet Broadway Database nbsp The Father public domain audiobook at LibriVox Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Father Strindberg play amp oldid 1154133541, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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