3 Review(s)

Pillars of Society is a critical social drama by Henrik Ibsen that explores themes of hypocrisy, social structure, and the corrupting influence of power and wealth. The play focuses on the character of Karsten Bernick, a wealthy and influential shipbuilder in a small Norwegian town, who is regarded as a pillar of society. However, beneath his respectable exterior, Bernick harbors dark secrets, including his past involvement in a financial scandal and his use of deceit to protect his social standing.The plot centers around the return of a figure from Bernick’s past, Johan Tönnesen, who has been living in exile after taking the blame for the scandal that Bernick caused. Johan’s return forces the characters to confront the lies they’ve built their lives upon. As Johan exposes the truth, the stability of Bernick’s carefully constructed world begins to unravel. The play explores the moral compromises people make to uphold their social positions and the psychological toll of living a life built on lies and deception.