After Lee and Grant met at Appomatox Court House in 1865 to sign the document ending the long and bloody Civil War, the South at last had to face defeat as the dream of a Confederate nation melted into the Lost Cause. Through an examination of memoirs, personal papers, and postwar Confederate rituals such as memorial day observances, monument unveilings, and veterans' reunions, Ghosts of the Confederacy probes into how white southerners adjusted to and interpreted their defeat and explores the cultural implications of a central event in American history. Foster argues that, contrary to southern folklore, southerners actually accepted their loss, rapidly embraced both reunion and a New South, and helped to foster sectional reconciliation and an emerging social order. He traces southerners' fascination with the Lost Cause--showing that it was rooted as much in social tensions resulting from rapid change as it was in the legacy of defeat--and demonstrates that the public celebration of the war helped to make the South a deferential and conservative society. Although the ghosts of the Confederacy still haunted the New South, Foster concludes that they did little to shape behavior in it--white southerners, in celebrating the war, ultimately trivialized its memory, reduced its cultural power, and failed to derive any special wisdom from defeat.

Ghosts of the Confederacy

Mooncakes and Hungry Ghosts

Henrik Ibsen's play "Ghosts" is a profound exploration of societal norms, personal duty, and the consequences of past actions. Set in a Norwegian fjord, the narrative unfolds in the home of Mrs. Helen Alving, who is preparing for the opening of an orphanage in memory of her late husband, Captain Alving. The play begins with the arrival of Pastor Manders, who has been a guiding figure in Mrs. Alving's life, particularly during her troubled marriage. The return of her son, Oswald, a painter who has been living abroad, adds complexity to the unfolding drama. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that the orphanage is not just a tribute but also a means for Mrs. Alving to exorcise the metaphorical "ghosts" of her past, including her husband's debauched life and the societal pressures that forced her to remain in a loveless marriage. The play delves into themes of duty versus personal happiness, as Mrs. Alving reflects on her past decisions, influenced by societal expectations and religious doctrines. Pastor Manders represents the voice of traditional morality, emphasizing duty and the sanctity of marriage, while Mrs. Alving's experiences and Oswald's modern views challenge these conventions. Oswald's return brings to light the hereditary consequences of Captain Alving's lifestyle, as he suffers from a debilitating illness, symbolizing the inescapable passage of past sins. Ibsen's "Ghosts" is a critique of 19th-century societal norms, particularly the oppressive nature of duty imposed by religion and tradition. The play's controversial themes of free love, hereditary illness, and the questioning of religious authority sparked significant debate upon its release, highlighting Ibsen's role as a pioneer of modern drama. Through its complex characters and moral dilemmas, "Ghosts" remains a powerful commentary on the struggle between societal expectations and personal freedom.

Ghosts

Henrik Ibsen Translated by Christopher Hampton Full Length, Drama Characters: 3 male, 2 female Interior Set This riveting family drama is a classic of the modern theatre. Oswald Alving returns for the dedication of the orphanage to his father's memory and has a flirtation with the family maid who, it turns out, is his father's illegitimate daughter. As the long-supressed truths collide, the orphanage is destroyed by fire, the maid deserts the family in disgust when she learns her true parentage, and Mrs. Alving is left alone to care for her hopelessly insane son who has fallen prey to the social disease that killed his father. The role of Mrs. Alving, considered one of the greatest in the modern repertoire, has been played by Liv Ullman, Geraldine Page, Eva Le Galliene, Mrs. Fiske, Alla Nazimova and Eleonora Duse.

In this drama Ibsen has touched issues that were severely sensitive. The characters drawn in detail are deeply embedded in the plot. The themes of infidelity, illegitimate children and incest have been touched upon that were taboo topics of the time. He proved his mettle as a brilliant and bold writer as he delves into the psychology of the main characters and discusses their troubles.

Ghosts A Domestic Tragedy in Three Acts

Dragons, artists, aristocrats, deities. Ghosts, demons. Beautiful women and brave young men. A tapestry of Chinese ghost stories by Lafcadio Hearn, a writer of Greek and Irish blood, influenced by the Chinese and Japanese culture with a distinctive sensitivity and clarity in his writing. These stories take us to the heart of an early medieval society populated with heroes and women dedicated to Art and Love while spirits stand witnesses to haunting deeds. (Goodreads)

Some Chinese Ghosts

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