Alternative Ending of Ibsen’s Ghosts
(Although Ibsen was a bold and fearless writer, one imagines that his producer was shocked at the ending of his play Ghosts, and urged him to change it. Oswald dies from the consequences of venereal disease, and his half sister Regina leaves. Here, I imagine what the original ending might have been.)
Helen Alvin ushers in Pastor Manders. She seems upset and flustered.
Pastor Manders: I came as fast as I could.
Mrs Alvin: I know how busy you must be on a Friday, writing your sermon/
Pastor Manders: Nonsense, Helen. You know I’ll always make time for you. You can trust me, I’m always ready to help/
Mrs Alvin: I don’t know if you will this time, you are so … rigid … I mean strict.
Pastor Manders: I’m not, Helen dear… (sees a book on the table, picks it up, shakes his head) you let Oswald read this?
Mrs Alvin: Actually I’m the one reading it/
Pastor Manders:(tut tuts) You shouldn’t be reading this/
Mrs Alvin: Why not Pastor?
Pastor Manders: It asks too many questions. Why waste time, when all the answers are in the Holy Book. Too may questions inevitably lead to heresy.
Mrs Alvin: You forget the bible was written two thousand years ago/
Pastor Manders: I must stop you here. It was not “written” as you say, it was revealed. God’s commandments were for all times.
Mrs Alvin: Then you wasted your time coming here, I ought to have known better. You’re so unbending. Which is why I chose not to marry you although God knows how much I loved you/
Pastor Manders: As another man’s widow you should not talk about love to me.
Mrs Alvin: But our love was pure and we never … but we did exchange a passionate kiss once, Ruud, the memory of which I have treasured.
Pastor Manders: Tut, tut, Mrs Alvin, you belong to another man, dead though he is.
Mrs Alvin: You and Papa forced me … I never loved Roald when I wed him. I hoped I would, but he drank, gambled and consorted with cabaret girls and … and prostitutes.
Pastor Manders: Thou shalt not speak ill of the dead.
Mrs Alvin: You’re right, Pastor. Thank you for coming, please accept my apologies for dragging you all the way here, go back to your sermons.
Pastor Manders: No. Now that I am here, you must tell me what is troubling you. I insist.
Pause
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Pastor Manders: Is it about Oswald?
Mrs Alvin: (long hesitation. Finally nods). Yes. About my son Oswald and Regina Ekstrand.
Pastor Manders: (explodes) No, no, no. You don’t mean they… they …they can’t … it’s an abomination. They’ll go straight to hell. I cannot permit it.
Mrs Alvin: Neither of them knows the truth, Pastor. Marta Ekstrand had been with us forever. As Jacob Ekstrand often worked away from Kristiana, we gave her a room here, and when Regina was born, she more or less grew up here. Before she died, Marta told me that Roald had taken advantage of her and that Regina was my Oswald’s sister. When Marta died, we arranged with Jacob that she’d continue to stay with us as our little servant, mind you, we treated her nice and gave her an education. Now she’s grown into a fine young lady.
Pastor Manders: I am aware of everything. Marta Ekstrand told me. As I said, we cannot permit this abomination.
Mrs Alvin: I have always known that they were good friends, but only this week I overheard … I eavesdropped upon them. They’re head over heels in love with each other, I never guessed.
Pastor Manders: You must put an immediate end to this sinful folly.
Mrs Alvin : I know you’re right. Of course I do, but just keep quiet for a couple of minutes, pleee-ase. For the sake of the love we had for each other once. Promise me that you will.
The Pastor hesitates, tries to speak, but she stops him.
Mrs Alvin : Roald … pardon my language Pastor … never bothered who he … eh … bedded, as you and the whole world knows, and God gave him the … the … pest. But why should God also punish Oswald? How dis my Oswald deserve this? I made the doctor swear not to tell him the truth, so he thinks he’s just a bit weak in the head, but he can’t have more than four or five years left if he is properly looked after.
Pastor Manders: God never inflicts a misfortune on anybody without also providing … its antidote. Who can better nurse Oswald than his own dear mother?
Mrs Alvin : (Impatient) But can’t you see that if I send Regina away it will be a death sentence for him? I’ve known Regina for ever, I’ve watched her develop into a sensible caring young woman. She will look after my Oswald with love, his last four or five years will be happy ones.
Pastor Manders: I will never permit that/
Mrs Alvin : (Angry) Ruud, are you stupid? Have you been listening to me? My boy will die.
Pastor Manders: Our life on this earth is only transitory … you two will re-unite in Heaven, Helen. God’s law must not be trifled with/
Mrs Alvin : To hell with God’s law, Ruud. I need to protect my son_ at any cost.
Pastor Manders: I can’t see that that’s at all possible. His will can’t be undermined. What do you think I can do.
Mrs Alvin: Nothing. (Pause) Just do nothing. You and I are the only two people who know the truth. Jacob Ekstrand thinks Regina is his, Marta is no more. All we need is for you to keep quiet about it all.
Pastor Manders: That’s as much as telling a lie. And God will know, and then the three of you, Oswald, Regina, and yourself will burn in hell for eternity.
Mrs Alvin: Oswald and Regina are blameless, they don’t know the truth.
Pastor Manders: I am not sure if God will accept that.
Mrs Alvin: (explodes)If he does not accept that, then, then … he’s not my God.
Pastor Manders : Dear Helen, repent … don’t say such things … he might. Who can know the mind of God? But for you there can be no clemency, can’t you see it my darling Helen?
Mrs Alvin : I will look God in the eye and tell him that I broke his law because I loved my son, and I am willing to burn in hell for eternity for his four years of happiness. Do your worst!
