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The Western Canon Mailing List
Moderator: Paul John Barnette Jr.
Activation Date: March 8, 1997
Current Date:  July 14, 1997
Current Membership: 80
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Quick response to Paul's questions:

< What do these three events reveal of Peer Gynt's character?

< 1. Peer's confrontation with the troll king.
Peer seems consistent with his behavior in Act I.  He brags and boasts 
(unsubstantiated).  His constant focus is "what's in it for me," 
changing his story to fit the moment.

< 2. Peer's relationship with Solveig.
I would argue we see a little development on Peer's part.  He does show 
some concern for Solveig.  Granted, his actions are still self-serving 
and his answer is to run away from the problem.  But at least he is 
considering her to some degree.

<3.  Peer's relationship with his mother, Aase.  Particularly in regards 
to her death.
Finally, Peer seems to do something selfless by trying to comfort his 
mother.  While the mock sleigh-ride may have been to ease his own mind, 
it appeared to be a different Peer than what we have seen before.

Is he really maturing?  To some degree it seems so.  He came to her 
bedside (not knowing she was ill) at risk to himself, staying to comfort 
her.  But of course, his final answer is to go "round about" and run 
away from his problems.

Other comments:
I had not thought of "The Catcher in the Rye" while reading "Peer Gynt," 
but now that you mention it I see many similarities in the main 
characters.  Both are irresponsible dreamers with arrested social 
development, who seem to feel the weight of the world but are unable to 
deal with it in a mature manner.

One last note (while not pretending to know or understand Freud):  
dreams have long been a literary & theatrical device to reveal a 
character's make-up.  This is definitely one of the most fantastical 
uses of such a device I've read.  Of course, if trolls had been part of 
my folklore background, it might seem more natural.

Dwight

Response:

I agree Dwight that it is only at the end of act three, when Peer's 
mother dies, that we see a Peer that the reader can sympathize 
with. One the other hand, despite the fact that Peer is selfish, 
immature and something of a rascal, I find that I am always on his 
side whenever he meets resistance. I have the same reaction to 
main character of the Catcher in the Rye. Perhaps this says more 
about me that it does about the play! :)

Also, please continue reading Ibsen. Act four will definitely blow 
your mind, but more on that later.

Also, is anyone else other than Dwight and myself actually reading 
Ibsen's Peer Gynt? If so, please post some of your thoughts.

Paul John Barnette Jr.

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