1. 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”

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. Major Conflicts Nora vs. self Nora vs. Torvald

11. Major Topics The role of women Families & parenthood Truth vs. deception Appearances vs. reality