Abstract
In my thesis, I will argue whether the diverse layers of water in the play function as “the life” of Ibsen’s characters, mainly of his protagonists, and whether the element of water reflects the inner nature of the characters. Thus, this thesis will be based on answering the questions: How do the symbol of water and its associations stand as an approach to self-reflection? How does it open out the real nature of characters? And, how does water thus, become reliable as an overall substance to understand the Norwegian society in the late 19th century, where Ibsen’s characters live in? Thus, my hypothesis is that the fact, the role of water is the key to understand The Lady from the Sea. I reexamine the text in this new perspective and try to look into the inner nature of characters, as reflect in the element of water. I believe that the reader will start to see the things as he/she has never seen them before through this approach. Hence, he/she will be able to understand the play and the real nature of Ibsen’s characters, particularly the hidden message in the structure more precisely. Thus, I chose the title “Water; Life which moves on Earth” borrowed from Ibsen’s own thought as the starting point of my hypothesis.