Ghosts: Mother/Son relationships

Osvald: (muttering to himself). I think it’s all wrong.

Mrs. Alving: (going up to him from behind and putting her hands on his shoulders). Osvald, my dear boy—has it been a great shock to you?

Osvald: (turning his face towards her). All this about father, do you mean?

Mrs. Alving: Yes, about your unhappy father. I am so afraid it may have been too much for you.

Osvald: What makes you think that? I came as a great surprise of course; but, after all, I don’t know that it matters much to me.

Mrs. Alving: (taking her hands away) Doesn't matter! That your father was so desperately unhappy?

Osvald: Well of course I feel sorry for him, yes of course, the same way I would for anybody but-

Mrs. Alving: Is that all? for your own father!

Osvald: (impatiently) Oh yes my father! I never knew anything about my father. all I remember is that he once made me sick.

Mrs. Alving: That's a dreadful thing to say. Surely a child must feel some affection for his father, no matter what?

Osvald: What, when the child has nothing to thank his father for? When he has never known him? Do you really cling to that antiquated superstition—you, who are so broad-minded in other things?

Mrs. Alving: That's superstition is it?

Osvald. Yes, and you can see that for yourself quite well, mother. It is one of those beliefs that are put into circulation in the world, and—

Mrs Alving: (shaken) Ghosts!

Osvald: Yes, you may call them ghosts if you like.

Mrs Alving: Osvald! So you don't love me either!

Osvald: well at least I know you.

Mrs Alving: Yes, know you but is that all?