ibsen and a doll house

8/8/2019 Ibsen and a Doll House

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Ibsen andIbsen and A Doll House A Doll House

AP English IV AP English IV



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Henrik Henrik IbsenIbsen “What is it to be apoet? It was along time before I

realized that to bea poet is, most of all, to see; but

mark well, to seein such a way thatwhat is seen is

perceived by hisaudience just asthe poet saw it.” (1874)



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Henrik Henrik Ibsen (1828Ibsen (1828--1906)1906)

Ibsen born in Norway into a wealthy family thatIbsen born in Norway into a wealthy family thatwould become bankrupt.would become bankrupt.

While in Norway, wrote (poems, plays) and wasWhile in Norway, wrote (poems, plays) and wascreative director of The Norwegian Theater increative director of The Norwegian Theater inChristiana.Christiana.

Disillusioned with career and with country, heDisillusioned with career and with country, hemoved to Italy in 1864moved to Italy in 1864 – – began a period of 27began a period of 27years abroad (Italy and Germany). Moved back years abroad (Italy and Germany). Moved back

to Norway in 1891.to Norway in 1891. Gained international acclaim as a writer duringGained international acclaim as a writer during

his life.his life.

(Source: “The Ibsen Centre,” Oslo, Norway).(Source: “The Ibsen Centre,” Oslo, Norway).



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Ibsen’s ImportanceIbsen’s Importance

Ibsen considered theIbsen considered the “father of modern “father of modern

drama.” drama.” Gave the stage itsGave the stage its first distinctivelyfirst distinctively

modern characters: complex,modern characters: complex,contradictory individuals driven by acontradictory individuals driven by a

desire for something (joy? Sense of desire for something (joy? Sense of

self?) that they can barely recognizeself?) that they can barely recognizeor name.or name.



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General Notes on Ibsen’sGeneral Notes on Ibsen’s

Dramatic Method: 3 Main TechniquesDramatic Method: 3 Main Techniques1: visualize the individual characters1: visualize the individual characters

“Before I write one word, I have to have “Before I write one word, I have to havethe character in mind through andthe character in mind through and

through.” through.” Borderline hallucinations!Borderline hallucinations!

Character’s individual humanity is primary.Character’s individual humanity is primary.



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Dramatic Method: 3 Main TechniquesDramatic Method: 3 Main Techniques2: Perceive relationships2: Perceive relationships

The individual is best understandable in aThe individual is best understandable in asocial context.social context.

The characters view each other withThe characters view each other withdistortions and with discernment; thedistortions and with discernment; the

audience participates in evaluating thisaudience participates in evaluating this

mixture of illusion and truth.mixture of illusion and truth.



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Dramatic Method: 3 Main TechniquesDramatic Method: 3 Main Techniques3: Poet as prophet3: Poet as prophet

The characters’ struggles reflect the vastThe characters’ struggles reflect the vastconflicts that can bring about aconflicts that can bring about a

readjustment of social relations on everyreadjustment of social relations on everylevel.level.



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A Doll House A Doll House (1879)(1879)



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A Doll House A Doll House

Based on a true story . . .Based on a true story . . .

When the play first debuted, the audienceWhen the play first debuted, the audiencewas shocked . . .was shocked . . .

First English actress offered the part of First English actress offered the part of Nora turned it down . . .Nora turned it down . . .

AS YOU READ consider: significance of AS YOU READ consider: significance of

title; the setting of the play; details of title; the setting of the play; details of characterization; use of motifs andcharacterization; use of motifs andsymbols.symbols.



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A word to the wise . . . A word to the wise . . .



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CSI: Classroom Students InvestigateCSI: Classroom Students Investigate

Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour” Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour”

Name of deceased: Mrs. MallardName of deceased: Mrs. Mallard

Age: youngish Age: youngish

Date of death: Spring, 1894Date of death: Spring, 1894 Place of death: home (stairway)Place of death: home (stairway)

Stated cause of death: “heart disease” Stated cause of death: “heart disease”



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Your Hypothesis Your Hypothesis

TRUE/REAL cause of death: ____?!______ TRUE/REAL cause of death: ____?!______

What textual clues (evidence) can you findWhat textual clues (evidence) can you findin the story to support your hypothesis?in the story to support your hypothesis?

Both “The Story of an Hour” andBoth “The Story of an Hour” and A Doll A DollHouseHouse explore similar thematic issues:explore similar thematic issues:

love/power/control/self/economics/love/power/control/self/economics/

freedomfreedom

ibsen and a doll house

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