A Doll House/ A Doll’s House

• Author: Henrik Ibsen

(1828-1906)- written in 1879- Takes place in

Norway during the Victorian Era

- The public found the play “unacceptable”

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Overview of the story

• This is the story of Nora Helmer, an upper middle class woman, who is married with three children. Her husband, Torvald, has just gotten a job as bank manager that will start after Christmas.

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• As was typical Nora does not work and stays at home. The Helmers have a maid (Helene), and a nanny, Anne-Marie, who cares for the three children.

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• Dr. Rank is a good friend of Torvald’s who visits the Helmers daily.

• He is suffering from a fatal disease, but is keeping the severity of the disease from the Helmers.

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As the play opens…

• It is just before Christmas and all seems well in the Helmer household.

• An old friend of Nora’s, Kristine Linde, appears at her door.

• It is soon revealed that Nora has a big secret she has been keeping from her husband, but she believes the secret will disappear after Christmas.

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But then…

• As in keeping with a tragedy, things do not go as planned and her situation goes from bad to worse.

• Nora (like other main character’s of tragedies) is a tragic heroine and she has a tragic flaw.

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Problem Plays

• Serious dramas in which society’s expectations created problems in people’s lives and were presented on stage realistically and in detail

• Ibsen play does not include a “neat” ending which left people debating the choices made by characters and what the “correct” ending should be.

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Modern Realistic Prose Drama

1. Reflects ordinary language; written in prose not verse

2. Depicts characters and situations as they really are

3. Addresses controversial issues and society’s assumptions

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Henrik Ibsen• … was the creator of the

Modern Realistic Prose Drama

• … used theatre as a way to give social commentary on socially unacceptable issues

• … father went bankrupt and family was socially rejected

• … also went bankrupt early in his career

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Major Conflicts

• Nora vs. self• Nora vs. Torvald

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Major Topics

• The role of women• Families & parenthood • Truth vs. deception • Appearances vs.

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