[N] Henrik Ibsen, poet and the creator of a new type of drama, was born at Skien, in South Norway, on March 20, 1828. Apprenticed first to a chemist at Grimstad, he next entered Christiania University, but speedily wearied of regular academic studies. He then undertook journalistic work for two years, and afterwards became a theatrical manager at Bergen. In 1857 he was appointed director of the National Theatre at Christiania, and about this time wrote, at intervals, plays in the style of the ancient Norse sagas. "The Master Builder" ("Bygmester Solness") belongs to his later efforts, and was completed in 1892. In it many critics discern the highest attainments of Ibsen's genius, and its realism is strangely combined with romance. It is a plea for the freedom of the human spirit; and the terrible drama is wrought out in language of extraordinary symbolism. Hilda Wangel is the "superwoman," who will suffer nothing to stand between her and the realisation of herself. Had Solness been as strong a spirit, the end might have been different. But he has a "sickly conscience," unable to bear the heights of freedom. Here again Ibsen is unique in his estimate of mankind. Nevertheless, his characters are all actual personalities, and live vividly. Ibsen died on May 23, 1906. The Pillars of Society[O] _Persons in the Drama_ CONSUL BERNICK MRS. BERNICK OLAF, _their son_ MARTHA BERNICK, _sister of the consul_ LONA HESSEL, _elder stepsister of Mrs. Bernick_ JOHAN TÖNNESEN, _her younger brother_ HILMAR TÖNNESEN, _Mrs. Bernick's brother_ RECTOR RÖRLUND DINA DORF, _a young lady living at the consul's_ KRAP, _the consul's clerk_ SHIPBUILDER AUNE MRS. RUMMEL _and other ladies, friends of the consul's family_ ACT I SCENE.--_A large garden-room in_ CONSUL BERNICK'S _house. A number of ladies are seated in the room_. AUNE, _who has been sent for by the_ CONSUL, _is addressed by_ KRAP _at the door of the_ CONSUL'S _room_. KRAP: I am ordered by the consul to tell you that you must stop those Saturday talks to the workmen about the injury that our new machines will do to them. Your first duty is to this establishment. Now you know the will of the consul. AUNE: The consul would have said it differently. But I know I have to thank for this the American that has put in for repairs. KRAP: That is enough. You know the consul's wishes. Pardon, ladies! [KRAP _bows to ladies, and he and_ AUNE _go into the street_. RECTOR RÖRLUND _has been reading aloud, and now shuts the book and begins to converse with the ladies_.