1. Further introductory notes
Doll’s House 2
Further introductory notes
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

2. IBSEN’S THEATRE
A new departure in Norway towards Naturalism and Symbolism
In a very conservative country this is revolutionary
Shifts drama away from stylised entertainment and towards a drama which can criticise contemporary society – Ibsen’s plays from 1870 onwards reflect this
He has travelled in Europe by this time and has had the chance to see a much wider palette of dramatic production.
Doll’s House: 1879.
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

3. Criticism Paternalism Shown in the attitude of husbands towards wives
NO Equal rights in law regarding money or status
No expectation to work – just to marry and breed
Unable to enter into legal contracts in own right
Property of the husband
Protection provided by husband
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

4. Nora and Paternalism
Before the play has entered into a contract with a money lender
Has forged her father’s signature – a crime
Is being blackmailed as a result
Is hiding all this from her husband
Behaved in this way out of love, with a disregard for “right”.
How much did she know?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

5. Nora’s strength
Often regarded solely through the prism of Torvald’s diminutive epithets – squirrel, songbird…
Seen as weak when contrasted with Linde in Act 1
BUT
Has had the strength and resourcefulness to find a money lender
Has arranged the loan and is making payments
Has had to take work of a kind
Honest to a sense of self at the end….
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

6. A tragic character? Ibsen called this play a “modern tragedy”
MUST be considered in the light of 19C morals and behaviours
WHOSE TRAGEDY?
Torvald: Hubris leads to eventual downfall
Nora: At end is alone in a hostile world; has no guardian husband; is utterly unprepared for this life.
What is her character trait which has brought the inevitable tragedy on?
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

7. NATURALISM/SYMBOLISM
Opening Stage Direction seems very naturalistic but so much is there in the symbols
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

8. Look behind the natural
(SCENE. A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer's study. Between the doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, armchairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the wall; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove. It is winter.
_A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in out-door dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a_ PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.)
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016

9. Symbols:
As a start, consider the possible significance of the following:
Doors
Window
Stove
New year
Tarantella and masquerade
Xmas tree
Study
Clothing and changes
Jonathan Peel JLS 2016