A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

Background on Henrik Ibsen Born in Skien, Norway, in 1828 Ibsen grew up in poverty. He wanted become a doctor, but the education was too costly. He began writing and working in the theater.

Background on Henrik Ibsen Ibsen married Susannah Thoresen, a pastor’s daughter, in 1858.

Background on Henrik Ibsen In 1864, he received a scholarship to study and to travel in Rome. While there, he published a string of plays. The one that caused him the most critical uproar was A Doll’s House.

Background on Henrik Ibsen Towards the end of his life, Ibsen was known as one of the world’s greatest dramatists In his later years, he suffered several strokes, which destroyed his memory for words and even the alphabet.

Background on Henrik Ibsen In 1906, Ibsen died in Oslo, Norway.

Facts About A Doll’s House A Doll’s House appeared in an edition of 8,000 copies at the beginning of December 1879. It was produced at the theatre Royal Copenhagen three weeks after its publication.

Facts About A Doll’s House The play was considered scandalous for its time. It portrayed a woman not only forsaking her marriage vows, but acting independently and renouncing obedience to her husband.

Facts About A Doll’s House When the play was performed in Germany in March 1880, Ibsen was forced to write a different ending. In the new ending, Nora’s husband dominated her and “put her back in her place” in accordance with society’s standards.

Facts About A Doll’s House Only after ten years was A Doll’s House performed outside of Scandinavia and Germany. This is Ibsen’s best known play, likely because Nora goes beyond what was expected of the 19th century woman.