John Gabriel Borkman

John Gabriel Borkman is by Henrik Ibsen, with a translation and introduction by William Archer, in The Collected Works of Henrik Ibsen, Volume XI. The introduction says that the anecdotic history of John Gabriel Borkman is even scantier than that of Little Eyolf. The introduction says two mentions of the play occur in Ibsen's letters, and quotes Ibsen writing to George Brandes from Christiania on April 24, 1896, that he is engaged in preparing for a big new work. The introduction says that the traces of a change of scheme in John Gabriel Borkman seem to its writer almost unmistakable.

A character named Foldal says he has had his doubts now and then, the horrible doubt that he may have bungled his life for the sake of a delusion. Borkman answers, "If you have no faith in yourself, you are on the downward path indeed." In a different scene, Ella Rentheim says that Mr. Borkman is not quite well and wants a little fresh air before coming in.