Ghosts Characters

Mrs. Alving is a wealthy widow whose husband, Captain Alving, died 10 years ago. A proper but surprisingly free-thinking woman, Mrs. Alving has decided to build an orphanage in her husband’s name. The day… read analysis of Mrs. Helene Alving

Oswald Alving is a young man in his twenties who has enjoyed success as a painter living in Paris. When the play begins, Oswald comes home to Norway for the first time in a long… read analysis of Oswald Alving

Pastor Manders is a deeply principled and judgmental man of God who has agreed to manage the financial aspects of the orphanage that Mrs. Alving is opening to honor her late husband, Captain Alving… read analysis of Pastor Manders

Jacob Engstrand is the carpenter Mrs. Alving hires to build an orphanage commemorating her late husband, Captain Alving. Engstrand’s daughter, Regine, also works for the Alvings as a maid, and though Engstrand wants… read analysis of Jacob Engstrand

Captain Alving never actually appears in Ghosts because he has been dead for 10 years when the play begins. Nevertheless, his presence hovers over the Alving household, especially when Mrs. Alving reveals that—despite his sterling… read analysis of Captain Alving

Johanna never actually appears onstage in Ghosts. However, she was the Alvings’ maid when Captain Alving was still alive. Mrs. Alving tells Pastor Manders that she discovered many years ago that Captain Alving impregnated… read analysis of Johanna