A Doll’s House Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen Background March 20, 1828 – May 23, 1906 Major Norwegian playwright Major Norwegian playwright Responsible for the rise of the modern realistic drama Responsible for the rise of the modern realistic drama Often referred to as the "father of modern drama” Often referred to as the "father of modern drama” Ibsen is the Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. Ibsen is the Ibsen is the most frequently performed dramatist in the world after Shakespeare. His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era Victorian values of family life and propriety (majority view) Victorian values of family life and propriety (majority view) Any challenge to the values was considered immoral and outrageous Any challenge to the values was considered immoral and outrageous

Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades Ibsen's work examined the realities that lay behind many facades Ibsen largely founded the modern stage by introducing a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Ibsen largely founded the modern stage by introducing a critical eye and free inquiry into the conditions of life and issues of morality. Victorian-era plays were expected to be moral dramas with noble protagonists pitted against darker forces. Victorian-era plays were expected to be moral dramas with noble protagonists pitted against darker forces. Every drama was expected to result in a morally appropriate conclusion: Every drama was expected to result in a morally appropriate conclusion: goodness was to bring happiness, and immorality pain. goodness was to bring happiness, and immorality pain. Ibsen challenged this notion and the beliefs of his times and shattered the illusions of his audiences. Ibsen challenged this notion and the beliefs of his times and shattered the illusions of his audiences.

Major Works A Doll's House A Doll's House Hedda Galber Hedda Galber Brand Brand Peer Gynt Peer Gynt An Enemy of the People An Enemy of the People Emperor and Galilean Emperor and Galilean Ghosts Ghosts The Wild Duck The Wild Duck The Master Builder The Master Builder Rosmersholm Rosmersholm

A Doll’s House Ibsen wrote A Doll's House in Ibsen wrote A Doll's House in The play is a scathing criticism of the traditional roles of men and women in Victorian marriage. The play is a scathing criticism of the traditional roles of men and women in Victorian marriage. Required reading in many secondary schools and universities Required reading in many secondary schools and universities The play was highly controversial when first published, as it is sharply critical of Victorian marriage norms. The play was highly controversial when first published, as it is sharply critical of Victorian marriage norms. It follows the formula of Well-Made Play up until the final act It follows the formula of Well-Made Play up until the final act It breaks convention by ending with a discussion, not an unraveling. It breaks convention by ending with a discussion, not an unraveling. It is often called the first true feminist play, although Ibsen denied this. It is often called the first true feminist play, although Ibsen denied this.

Characters Nora Helmer - Protagonist, wife of Torvald, mother of three Nora Helmer - Protagonist, wife of Torvald, mother of three Torvald Helmer - Nora's husband, a newly promoted banker Torvald Helmer - Nora's husband, a newly promoted banker Dr. Rank - Rich family friend, Dr. Rank - Rich family friend, Kristine Linde - Nora's old school friend, widowed, seeking employment. Kristine Linde - Nora's old school friend, widowed, seeking employment. Nils Krogstad - Employee at Torvald's bank, single father Nils Krogstad - Employee at Torvald's bank, single father The children (Ivar, Bobby and Emmy) The children (Ivar, Bobby and Emmy)

The Social Context of the Play Middle-class life here is limiting, brutal, and unforgiving. Middle-class life here is limiting, brutal, and unforgiving. The society appears affluent and agreeable enough for those who can operate in it successfully. The society appears affluent and agreeable enough for those who can operate in it successfully. The Helmers have a very nice home and are looking forward to even more commodious living once Torvald gets his appointment. The Helmers have a very nice home and are looking forward to even more commodious living once Torvald gets his appointment. There is room here to celebrate Christmas with presents, to employ servants, to play music, to enjoy all sorts of creature comforts, and to celebrate with one's friends. There is room here to celebrate Christmas with presents, to employ servants, to play music, to enjoy all sorts of creature comforts, and to celebrate with one's friends. Many of the most cherished ideals of middle-class life, then and now, are clearly on display. Many of the most cherished ideals of middle-class life, then and now, are clearly on display.

Such benefits come at a price: Such benefits come at a price: One must conform to a view of proper conduct which is, in many respects, extremely narrow, savagely enforced, and unforgiving. One must conform to a view of proper conduct which is, in many respects, extremely narrow, savagely enforced, and unforgiving. This society values money, contracts, and conventional respectability over anything else and has no room for people who do not fit comfortably into its expectations. This society values money, contracts, and conventional respectability over anything else and has no room for people who do not fit comfortably into its expectations. Such people, the outsiders, live desperate lives. Such people, the outsiders, live desperate lives.

An important element in this play is the weather. Outside the warmth of the house, the world is bitterly cold, full of snow. An important element in this play is the weather. Outside the warmth of the house, the world is bitterly cold, full of snow. There is no consoling sense that nature offers any alternative to society: nature here is brutal, a symbolic extension of the wintry life outside the respectable social group. There is no consoling sense that nature offers any alternative to society: nature here is brutal, a symbolic extension of the wintry life outside the respectable social group. The sickness in this play is incurable, endemic, and traditional. It is a fatal condition imposed upon the community. (Dr. Rank) The sickness in this play is incurable, endemic, and traditional. It is a fatal condition imposed upon the community. (Dr. Rank)

Roll Playing and Control Think of what roles each character plays Think of what roles each character plays Nora Nora Torvald Torvald Dr. Rank Dr. Rank Etc. Etc. Think of: Think of: which characters have control which characters have control which characters want control which characters want control which characters need control which characters need control which characters do not have control which characters do not have control