Home in the Dramatic World of the Father by August Strindberg

Abstract

Strindberg’s The Father Home, within the dramatic world of the text in question, becomes a space which the characters, especially Laura inscribes rather than just inhabits. The metaphor of home is a popular metaphor in literature, especially in the postcolonial and social drama of Ibsen and Chekhov and other such playwrights of the modern era. House or home plays a significant role in plays like Hedda Gabler, Doll’s House, The Cherry Orchard and also in other plays by Strindberg (2006) like The Dance of Death and to an extent in Miss Julie too. In The Father however, it changes its connotations, especially with respect to Laura’s character as the plot develops. It becomes from a place of oppression to that of power for her and finally a Sibyl’s cave where she uses her sorcery and creativity in a somewhat twisted way to mould things according to her desire. This paper seeks to critically analyze the space which defines “home” in The Father, how it is used and consequently differed in meaning through the intervention of Laura. For this purpose it will draw upon “The Parables of the Cave” written by Sandra M.Gilbert and Susan Gubar. This essay talks about how the simile of the cave corresponds with womb and the female abode.