Life — October 22, 1903 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 390 This page features a drama criticism section titled "The Apostle of the Unpleasant," discussing Henrik Ibsen's theatrical influence in America. The accompanying illustration shows an elderly bearded man in period dress—likely Ibsen himself—demonstrating the anatomical detail characteristic of ivory carvings (referencing the opening analogy about intricate craftsmanship). The critic argues that while Ibsen's plays showcase technical brilliance and psychological depth, they raise a fundamental question: "What was the use of doing it all?" The text critiques American productions of Ibsen's works, particularly praising Carlotta Nilsson's performance as Mrs. Elvsted while discussing how Ibsen's deliberately "unpleasant" dramas challenge conventional theatrical entertainment values. The satire targets both Ibsen's approach and American audiences' discomfort with serious dramatic content.