Summary:

"Facing Death" by August Strindberg is a one-act play that delves into the turmoil within the Durand family. Monsieur Durand, the patriarch, faces immense financial difficulties and seeks to protect his daughters' futures despite their misunderstandings. The play reveals Monsieur Durand's internal conflicts, his attempts to correct misconceptions, and his final desperate act in the face of tragedy. It culminates in a poignant scene where the house catches fire, and Monsieur Durand, consumed by despair, takes poison to end his life.

Comprehensive Analysis:

"Facing Death" portrays the dire circumstances of the Durand family, focusing on Monsieur Durand's struggle as the head of the household. The play highlights themes of financial ruin, family dynamics, misconceptions, and desperation. Monsieur Durand's character undergoes immense emotional turmoil, depicted through his attempts to rectify misunderstandings and protect his daughters.

The play utilizes symbolism, such as the burning house and the extinguishing candle, to emphasize the family's dire situation and Monsieur Durand's inner turmoil. The tension within the family arises from misconceptions about Monsieur Durand's past, his nationality, and his wife's actions, all contributing to a pervasive sense of conflict and despair.

 The emotional depth of the characters is brought forth through their interactions, revealing the strained relationships within the family. Monsieur Durand's final act of consuming poison to prevent his daughters from suffering further is a tragic and heartbreaking culmination of his despair and sense of responsibility.

Strindberg masterfully crafts the play to evoke a sense of empathy and reflection on familial relationships, financial struggles, and the weight of misunderstandings. The play's dramatic climax, with the impending fire and Monsieur Durand's tragic end, leaves a lasting impact on the audience, prompting contemplation about the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of misconceptions and despair.

Answer the following questions. 

a. Where does the play take place? 

●      The play takes place in the Durand House, Dining room..

b. Why do the grocery, the baker and the butcher send their bills to the Durand household?

●      The grocery, the baker, and the butcher send their bills to the Durand Household because the Durands haven't paid their bills for a long time. As a result, they have refused to provide any further items until the bills are paid.

c. Why does Monsieur Duran spend money on candles when he doesn’t have money to buy even bread? 

●      To offer the candles on the death anniversary of his late loving son, Rene, who died when he was a child.

d. Why did Monsieur Duran sell his life insurance? 

●      To pay off the loan to the debtor

e. Why has Monsieur Duran paid fire insurance? 

●      Monsieur Durand has paid for fire insurance to safeguard the family's possessions in case of a fire and secure some financial protection.

f. How did Monsieur Duran and Mrs. Duran run out of their inheritances from both the sides?

●      Due to Mrs. Durand's carelessness and foolish speculations, she ruined the paternal inheritance, and the maternal inheritance was used in bringing up the children. 

g. Why does Monsieur Duran tell a lie about his birthplace? 

●      To be able to marry the one he loves before he reached marriageable age and

●      To mask his humiliation as he had fought on the side of Switzerland against Germany.

h. What business is Monsieur Duran running to make a living? 

●      Monsieur Durand runs a boarding house or pension to earn a livelihood.

i. What plan does Monsieur Duran have to help his daughters with money? 

●      Monsieur Durand plans to commit suicide by setting fire to his home to help his daughters with money.He believes to receive compensation from the fire insurance policy so that he may provide financial assistance to his daughter.

j. How does Monsieur Duran die ?

●      Monsieur Durand puts a burning candle at the top of the house, letting the fire consume the whole house and kills himself by consuming poison

Reference to the context 

a. Sketch the character of Monsieur Duran. 

Sketch of Monsieur Duran:

●      Durand is the protagonist of the play, a widower, father of three daughters, owner of the lodge, and a former railway worker.

●      Responsible patriarch of the Duran family.

●      Facing financial difficulties and bankruptcy.

●      Tries to protect and secure his daughters' future.

●      Carries the burden of past misunderstandings and misconceptions.

●      Ultimately takes desperate measures to prevent further suffering.

b. How do we know that the Duran family has reached a dead end?

Signs of the Family's Dead End:

●      Mounting debt: They can no longer afford basic necessities like bread. (Ex: The baker refusing to deliver on credit)

●      Broken relationships: Monsieur Duran clashes with his daughters and has estranged himself from others. (Ex: Argument with Thérèse, Antonio leaving abruptly)

●      Moral ambiguity: The family resorts to desperate measures like selling the insurance policy and considering arson. (Ex: Monsieur Duran's suicide plan)

●      Loss of hope: No one sees a path out of their predicament, leading to resignation and despair. (Ex: Adèle's apathy, Monsieur Duran's fatalistic outlook)

c. ‘The mother, though already dead, seems to have had a great influence on the daughters, especially Theresa.’ Do you agree? 

Influence of the Mother on the Daughters:

●      Thérèse readily defends her mother: She contradicts Monsieur Duran's claims and blames their misfortunes on him. (Ex: Accusing him of lying about his nationality)

●      Thérèse exhibits similar behaviors: She is impulsive, materialistic, and prone to manipulation, mirroring her mother's traits. (Ex: Flirting with Antonio, demanding luxuries)

●      However, Monsieur Duran's perspective also deserves consideration: His wife's gambling and mismanagement likely contributed to their downfall.

d. Discuss the relationship between Monsieur Duran and his wife. 

Relationship Between Monsieur Duran and His Wife:

●      Unhealthy codependency: Monsieur Duran enables his wife's behavior and takes on her burdens, leading to resentment and bitterness. (Ex: Covering for her debts, accepting blame for her actions)

●      Lack of communication and understanding: They fail to address their issues constructively, perpetuating a cycle of negativity. (Ex: Monsieur Duran's silence, his wife's manipulative tactics)

●      Tragic consequences: Their dysfunctional relationship ultimately contributes to the family's ruin and Monsieur Duran's drastic actions.

e. ‘Money determines the relationship between characters in this play.’ Elaborate this statement with examples from the play. 

Money as a Determinant of Relationships:

●      Before Durand had any money, all three of his daughters hated him and dominated him. They didn't provide any food for him, even snatching the glass of milk and matches. Durand had to survive by eating the leftover milk of the cat and the bait intended for rats.

●      Suddenly, after Durand talks about life insurance, Thérèse and Annette show love to him and return the glass of milk and matches. They hug him, kiss him, and even ask for an apology. Even Adèle doesn't stop her father from burning his house and dying, as money is a must for her.

●      Thus, the idea that money can open the third eye of Shiva actually fits into this play.

f. Monsieur Duran killed himself so that his daughters would get 5000 francs as compensation from the insurance company. What does his plan tell us about him? 

Monsieur Duran's Plan and His Character:

●      His desperation: He sees suicide as the only way to secure his daughters' future.

●      His selflessness: He prioritizes their well-being even at the cost of his own life.

●      His moral ambiguity: While driven by love, his actions raise ethical questions about manipulating insurance claims and potentially endangering others.

g. Discuss Facing Death as a modern tragedy.

"Facing Death" by August Strindberg is a modern tragedy in the following sense:

●      Plot: It has a sad ending after the death of the protagonist, Mr. Durand. The protagonist faces problems and hardships due to his own actions, unlike the fate and curse often seen in classic tragedies.

●      Setting: The play is set in common surroundings, such as Mr. Durand's dining room, representing the lives of ordinary people. This is in contrast to the settings in classic tragedies.

●      Characterization: In contrast to classic tragedies, the protagonist represents the qualities and struggles of the middle class facing hardships and problems.

●      Language: The language of modern tragedy is ironic and satiric, unlike the formal language of classic tragedy. For example: "Your mother had her good qualities."

●      Durand is the protagonist of the play, a widower, father of three daughters, owner of the lodge, and a former railway worker.

●      He prioritizes his daughters' well-being above his own, even concealing their mother's mistakes and shouldering the blame.

●      Bankruptcy, debt, social pressures, and family history limit his options.

●      Despite his daughters' resentment, dominance, and misbehavior, he decides to take his own life to secure their future.

●      He views suicide as the only option to ensure his daughters' future. Additionally, he aims to make them realize that he wasn't wrong. He demonstrates unconditional love even in the face of hardship.