Brand: Analysis of Major Characters
"Brand" is a dramatic work that centers around the themes of sacrifice, duty, and the challenges of unwavering faith through its major characters. The protagonist, Brand, is an uncompromising priest who strives to heal the world's ailments, which he identifies as faintheartedness, lightheartedness, and a lack of self-control. His insistence on absolute commitment leads to personal turmoil, especially when faced with the potential loss of his loved ones—his son and wife, Agnes. Agnes embodies the tension between Brand's ideals and personal attachments, questioning his rigid demands when her life hangs in the balance.
Other notable characters include a peasant, who represents the faintheartedness that Brand despises, and Einar, a painter who, after losing Agnes to Brand, becomes zealously devoted to missionary work. Gerd, a gypsy girl, symbolizes the uncontrolled aspects of humanity, joining Brand on his arduous journey. The story also introduces various societal figures, such as the mayor and the doctor, who challenge Brand’s absolutist beliefs and highlight the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas. Through these characters, "Brand" explores profound questions about faith, sacrifice, and the nature of true commitment.
Brand: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Henrik Ibsen
First published: 1866 (English translation, 1891)
Genre: Play
Locale: The western coast of Norway
Plot: Social criticism
Time: Nineteenth century
Brand, an uncompromising young priest who vows to bring about the cure of the world's triple sickness, as exemplified in the fainthearted, the lighthearted, and the uncontrolled. Demanding of his followers all or nothing, he is faced with the same choice for himself when he is confronted with the possible death of his son and, later, of his wife, Agnes. He makes the sacrifices he feels are required of him and calls on the people to go up the mountain with him to a new life, where every day is dedicated to God. When the way becomes too hard for his followers, they drop by the wayside, and he goes on alone except for Gerd, who sees that his hands are pierced and his brow marked with thorns.
Agnes, Brand's wife, who challenges her husband to make the choice he demands of others: all or nothing—his duty or her life. She rejoices when he chooses his holy work, and soon afterward she dies.
Apeasant, a symbol of the fainthearted. He will not give his own life for his daughter's.
Einar, a painter, a symbol of the lighthearted. Engaged to Agnes, he becomes a fanatical missionary after her marriage to Brand.
Gerd, a gypsy girl, a symbol of the uncontrolled. She follows the forsaken Brand up the mountain, where she sees him as Lord and Redeemer.
The mother, who refuses her son Brand's request that she relinquish all her earthly possessions. She dies unrepentant.
The doctor, who reminds Brand that an attempt to save his son's life will require him to belie his demand of all or nothing from his followers.
The mayor, the dean, the sexton, and the schoolmaster, other members of Brand's flock.