Brand

What metaphors are used in Brand by Henrik Ibsen?

Asked by
Last updated by Cat
1 Answers
Log in to answer

Sacrifice is a metaphor through the narrative. As part of the strength of will and the religious conviction that Brand requires of his followers, he also instructs them to make certain sacrifices other than their lives, such as giving up earthly ties like money. When Brand's mother tells him she is bequeathing the hard-earned family fortune to him, as long as he hoards it after she is dead, Brand refuses to do this. He also refuses to give his mother her last rites until she gives the money away to charity: "That of free will you cast away / All that binds you to the clay."