Henrik Ibsen and Realism

A Doll House

or

A Doll’s House

Author background

Born in 1828, in Norway (at the time part of Sweden) Son of well-to-do merchant whose business failed

when Henrik was young Father died not long thereafter When Henrik was 19 , the household servant bore his

illegitimate child Longed to go to university but failed Greek (heance

no admission) Early plays and writings were romantic Began developing more realistic plays in 1860’s

(even though audience preferred lighter works) Published plays first, then staged them

A Doll House or A Doll’s House

Norwegian does not distinguish whether “doll” should be possessive, so it is translated both ways (significant interpretive implications)

Play was hugely controversial but also very popular when it opened in Copenhagen in 1879 (mostly because of its ending)

Based on a real story (details after you finish reading) Very tight structure—every word counts—in some ways a direct

line to outcome as in the Greek plays Secondary characters (Krogstad and Mrs. Linde) are important

foils to the main characters (Torvald and Nora Helmer) Realist especially in its implied social commentary—Ibsen very

sympathetic to rights of women and individual rights in general (we will get to characteristics of realism in class)

Themes-motifs to consider

Male-female relationships in 19th century, especially as related to marriage—and connected images (birds, small animals, household items

Secrecy-evasion-avoidance of the truth Male moral code vs female moral code (ethics) Costumes; pretending or playing Corruption-illness-poison Aggression-passivity Confinement-isolation Nature of bravery Love vs friendship

Instructions for reading Act One

Watch for clues to the social standing of Nora and Torvald and the nature of the relationship between them

This is the exposition of the play—be attuned to the conflict being set up

Choose a couple of the themes or motifs—or find another one you notice—and list 3 or 4 passages that would be good to discuss in class.

For two of those passages, pose a question raised by the passage or its context