Brief Summary of "Facing Death" (Class 12: Com. English: One-Act Play/With Questions-Answers)

Facing Death

- August Strindberg

Brief Summary:

Facing Death, a one-act play by August Strindberg tells the story of Monsieur Durand, a widower and former railroad worker. Through the play, the dramatist shows sacrifice made by the father for his daughters Adele, Annette and Therese.

In the drama, Durand’s family goes through a long financial crisis, so he does not have any other options instead of sacrificing himself. The father is bankrupt, so he works day and night for his daughters’ happiness. He even borrows money from neighbours to raise his daughters. By doing anything, he wants to secure his daughters’ future. But his daughters misbehave their father and blame him for bringing destruction into their life. He has a son Rene, who dies during his childhood. Unluckily, his wife also dies finishing almost all property, so he turns his house into a lodge and works there to earn money. But it is very difficult him to manage the lodge. Therefore, he realizes that his all efforts are vain to sustain his family financially. Finally, he plans to kill himself and set fire in the house so that his daughters can get 5000 francs as compensation from their insurance company. The drama ends when he takes poison and burns down his house. 

Some Questions-Answers

a. 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 Durand is unable to pay for their service. So, instead of delivering goods, they send their bills because their bills are unpaid for a long time.

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

-Durand recollects his dead by lighting candles on his death anniversary. So, he spends money on candles when he doesn’t have money to buy even bread. He has lost his son in his infanthood, so to remember and show his love he spends his money on lighting candles.

c. What plan does Monsieur Durand have to help his daughters with money?

-Monsieur Durand plans to take poison and die. He also plans to set his house on fire. He believes that if he destroys his house, from the fire insurance policy his daughters can get some amount of money for their survival. So, he plans to sacrifice his life for his daughters’ financial support.

d. What business is Monsieur Durand running to make a living?

-Monsieur Durand is running a lodge to make a living. He has changed his housed into a lodge in order to manage his financial crisis. In the lodge, he provides lodging and fooding services to his guests.

e. Sketch the character of Monsieur Durand.

-Monsieur Durand, the main character of the play is a widower, the lodge owner and former railway worker. He is financially ruined and lives with his three daughters. But he does not have good relationship with his daughters because they claim that he is the responsible person for their financial plight. As the father, he is very loving, caring and protective, but his daughters do not understand him. Though he is in his misery, he is always thoughtful about his daughters’ future. Finally, he sacrifices his life for the sake of his daughters, who never understand him. He is also a good husband. For his bankruptcy, his late wife has also much role, but he never blames her. Besides, he is a nation lover. Though he lives in Switzerland, he loves his country France a lot. In sum, he is a good personality, but he faces tragedy at the end.

The Bull: Important Long Questions Answers: Click on the link below: https://2078notesenglish.blogspot.com/2024/04/the%20bull-important-questions.html

f. Discuss "Facing Death" as a modern tragedy.

-Tragedy is a kind of drama that ends with death, separation, failure and destruction of a hero. This play is a tragedy because it also ends with the tragic death of the hero Durand. Modern tragedy deals with the problems of a modern man such as bad family relationship, socio-cultural problems, loneliness, etc. Therefore, in this play too, the hero has a poor relationship with his family members, and he suffers from economic problem. The drama ends with his death. The main hero, Mr Durand, sacrifices everything for his three daughters, murders himself and even burns down his house.