A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen

Overview

• Play by Henrik Ibsen, part of the realism/naturalism theatrical genres.
• Period: 1870s (Henrik Ibsen) to early 1900s (Anton Chekhov).
• Realism continues to influence acting today (e.g., Stanislavski’s techniques).

Aristotle’s Six Elements Applied to A Doll’s House

Theme

• Main Theme: Nora’s need to escape her domestic life, likened to a cage.
• Women’s Liberation: Very controversial in 1879 when it premiered; Nora leaves her family.

Characters

• Nora: Heroine who commits forgery to save her husband Torvald.
• Torvald: Nora’s husband who is patronizing and expects her to fulfill traditional domestic roles.
• Krogstad: The antagonist who blackmails Nora about her forgery to get a job at the bank.
• Christine: Nora’s friend and independent single woman, struggles through the world showing a contrast to Nora.
• The Doctor: Has a crush on Nora.

Plot

• Main Conflict: Krogstad’s blackmail and its impact on Nora and Torvald’s marriage.
• Setting: Everything happens in Nora and Torvald’s house, making it a domestic drama.
• Climax: Nora’s decision to leave Torvald and her children, seeking independence.

Language (Diction)

• Realistic, written in prose (translated from Norwegian).
• Torvald uses patronizing terms for Nora (“chickadee,” “my little dove”), highlighting sexism.

Music and Sound Effects

• Tarantella: Dance performed by Nora.
• Sleigh Bells: Indicates Christmas setting.

Spectacle

• Interior of their house, decorated for Christmas.
• Costumes: Reflect Victorian-era fashion, restrictive clothing for women.
• Props: Important items like the letter and Christmas presents.
• Realistic set elements contribute to the plot and character development.

Impact of Transposition to Modern Times

• Less Shocking Today: A woman leaving her husband is more socially accepted now.
• Business Handling: Women’s roles in financial matters have evolved since 1879, though work remains.
• Cultural and Climatic Differences: Location changes (e.g., Florida vs. Norway) would affect costumes and set design.

Importance of Setting

• Physical Location: Key for understanding the dynamics between characters.
• Symbolism of the House: Title “A Doll’s House” suggests themes of control and artificiality in Nora and Torvald’s relationship.
• Set Elements: Christmas tree, mailbox, rooms, and how these affect the plot and character interactions.

Writing Assignment Focus

• Explore the role of the house setting in the play.
• Examine how setting influences the characters and plot.