The Master Builder

by Henrik Ibsen
List(s):"Racine Library List"
Category: "Drama"
Pages:77
Year of Publication:1892
Date Added:01/18/1999
Date Read:02/10/2006
Notes:The action of the play occurs in the home of Halvard Solness, a middle-aged architect who has clawed his way to prominence. His single-minded focus on his job, however, has hardened him and prevented him and his wife Aline from having a meaningful private life. Into this tension comes Hilde Wangel, a vivacious young woman who has idolized Solness since ten years before, when, in the early stages of his career, he had built a large church in her hometown and climbed to the top of its tower during its dedication ceremony.
My Rating: 4

Reviews for The Master Builder

Review - Master Builder, The

SPOILER ALERT

Here's a brief summary: Builder Halvard Solness lives with his wife, Aline. Ten years earlier, their house burned down. Shortly thereafter, their twin sons died. Aline has since lived in mourning. Solness built homes on the lot where their house stood and made a lot of money and became famous.

In his shop, Solness employs Brovik, and old architect and Brovik’s son, Ragnar. His secretary is Ragnar’s fiancée, Kaja. Solness and Kaja are having an affair. Nobody knows about it, but Aline has her suspicions.

One day, Hilde Wangel shows up. She met Solness when she was a young girl and fell in love. She’s come to him now because he promised to take her away. Solness talks with Hilde about life and tells her about his past, his guilt over his success after the death of his sons and his fear of heights. They make plans, but when Hilde finds out from Ragnar about Solness and Kaja, she convinces Solness to climb the scaffolding on the new house he’s just built. Solness does and falls to his death. Hilde is happy because now she has Solness all to herself.

Why on earth is there a market for this kind of story?
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