A Doll’s House Henrik Ibsen

Characters Nora Helmer Main character Never lived alone, going immediately from her father’s house to her husband’s house. Depicted as inexperienced, sheltered, impulsive, and materialistic. Are these mere masks? Is Nora forced to present a façade due to the patriarchal oppression she faces? How does she dynamically change due to events? How she has earned money throughout the marriage deceptively: needlework, crochet-work, embroidery, copying work as well as other things. Bought herself the simplest of clothing. Loan for Italy was 250 pounds.

Eight years Nora’s husband. Barrister who won’t take unsavory cases. Torvald Helmer Eight years Nora’s husband. Barrister who won’t take unsavory cases. Promoted to bank manager – middle-class Avoids relationships in general What proof can you note of this propensity? Concerned with morality What proof can you note of this attitude? What words first come to mind in describing his character? How do his pet names for Nora denigrate her? Scene 1 pet names: little lark, little squirrel, little skylark “droop her wings,” miss sweet-tooth, song-bird spendthrift, little feather head

What are his personal attributes of corruption as depicted by Ibsen? Dr. Rank Friend and a physician. Embodies and subverts the theatrical role of the male moral force traditionally presented in plays of the era. Rather than a paternal, moral force presents as a corrupt force both physically and morally. What are his personal attributes of corruption as depicted by Ibsen? Nora tells Christine that “He has consumption of the spine, poor creature. His father was a horrible man who committed all sorts of excesses; and that is why his son was sickly from childhood…” (37; sc. 2). Christine thinks Dr. Rank has lent Nora the money.

Old schoolmate of Nora’s Mrs. Christine Linde Old schoolmate of Nora’s Ten years have passed since their last meeting. Three years a widow. Pressed for money following her husband and mother’s deaths. How does she impose on Nora? What is divulged concerning her past? How does she represent a foil for Nora? No youthful impetuousness like Nora. Symbolic of the hollowness of the matriarchal role Nora presents. Ridicules Nora for having had a father whom she believed gave her money. Describes herself as bitter and selfish due to her circumstance. Has tended her mother and cared for her bothers and even married a man she didn’t love to assist the family. Nora reveals the truth to her concerning how she worked to save Torvald as well. – Society would not allow Nora to take a loan without her husband’s or father’s consent.

How does his past parallel Nora’s current situation? Nils Krogstad Blackmails Nora How does his past parallel Nora’s current situation? What forces push him to blackmail Nora? Is his character dynamic? Why or why not? Dr. Rank describes him as having a moral disease. Nora’s fraud of signing her father’s name after he died to the loan.

Minor Characters Ivar, Bob, and Emmy Nora and Torvald’s children What part do they play? Anne Family Nurse What is her background? Is it part of the social commentary? Why or why not?

How do they emphasize the themes and social comments of the play? The play’s action centers on the development and the alterations of the relationships among Nora, Helmer, Krogstad, and Mrs. Linde. How do their relationships illuminate their personalities and dictate their actions? How do they emphasize the themes and social comments of the play? Torvald says that Krogstad must “wear a mask in the presence of those near and dear to him.” That “lies infect and poisons the whole life of a home” (34; sc. 1). Nora tells Christine that “Torvald wants me to go as a Neapolitan fisher-girl, and dance the Tarantella that I learnt at Capri” (37; sc. 2). In Scene 2 Tovald tells Nora that he and Krogstad had been friends as boys but that the relationship has proven to be an “incubus” and that Krogstad is tactless at work by speaking to him with familirity around the other staff. – Torvald feels that this is intolerable.

Nora is a woman who places moral principles above legal values. What consequence does this viewpoint have on her in terms of the play’s plot? What reactions must she deal with from the other characters? How does she view herself compared to how other characters view her? Fany dress ball at the Stenborg’s

Discuss the play’s unraveling and philosophical ending. What makes it successful? What final effect remains with the audience? What lines from the last Act have literal and symbolic meaning? In Scene 1 there is a negative reference concerning Nora being like her father and her desire not to be. In Scene 2 during Nora and Torvald’s discussion of reinstating Krogstad on her behest there is an allusion to how Nora’s father had been written about negatively in the papers. Scene 3 – “What are you doing, Nora?” “Taking off my costume.”

Analyze the following quote: “You should have let it alone; you must prevent nothing. After all, it is splendid to be waiting for a wonderful thing to happen” (54; sc. 2). Nora talking with Christine.

“Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a better chance than each on their own” (56; sc. 3). Christine to Nils Krogsad

“I have been performing tricks for you, Torvald “I have been performing tricks for you, Torvald. That’s how I’ve survived. You wanted it like that. You and Papa have done me a great wrong. It’s because of you I’ve made nothing of my life” (68; sc. 3). Nora to Torvald

“I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora – bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves” (71; sc. 3). Torvald to Nora