A Doll

1
A Dolls House

• Henrik Ibsen

2
Characters

• Nora Helmer
• Main character
• Never lived alone, going immediately from her
  fathers house to her husbands house.
• Depicted as inexperienced, sheltered, impulsive,
  and materialistic.
• Are these mere masks?
• Is Nora forced to present a façade due to the
  patriarchal oppression she faces?
• How does she dynamically change due to events?

3

• Torvald Helmer
• Eight years Noras husband.
• Barrister who wont take unsavory cases.
• Promoted to bank manager middle-class
• Avoids relationships in general
• What proof can you note of this
  propensity? Concerned with morality
• What proof can you note of this attitude?
• What words first come to mind in describing his
  character?
• How do his pet names for Nora denigrate her?

4

• Dr. Rank
• Friend and a physician.
• Embodies and subverts the theatrical role of the
  male moral force traditionally presented in plays
  of the era.
• Rather than a paternal, moral force presents as a
  corrupt force both physically and morally.
• What are his personal attributes of corruption as
  depicted by Ibsen?

5

• Mrs. Christine Linde
• Old schoolmate of Noras
• Ten years have passed since their last meeting.
• Three years a widow.
• Pressed for money following her husband and
  mothers deaths.
• How does she impose on Nora?
• What is divulged concerning her past?
• How does she represent a foil for Nora?

6

• Nils Krogstad
• Blackmails Nora
• How does his past parallel Noras current
  situation?
• What forces push him to blackmail Nora?
• Is his character dynamic? Why or why not?

7
Minor Characters

• Ivar, Bob, and Emmy
• Nora and Torvalds children
• What part do they play?
• Anne
• Family Nurse
• What is her background?
• Is it part of the social commentary? Why or why
  not?

8
The plays action centers on the development and
the alterations of the relationships among Nora,
Helmer, Krogstad, and Mrs. Linde.

• How do their relationships illuminate their
  personalities and dictate their actions?
• How do they emphasize the themes and social
  comments of the play?

9
Nora is a woman who places moral principles above
legal values.

• What consequence does this viewpoint have on her
  in terms of the plays plot?
• What reactions must she deal with from the other
  characters?
• How does she view herself compared to how other
  characters view her?

10
Discuss the plays unraveling and philosophical
ending.

• What makes it successful?
• What final effect remains with the audience?
• What lines from the last Act have literal and
  symbolic meaning?

11
Analyze the following quote

• You should have let it alone you must prevent
  nothing. After all, it is splendid to be waiting
  for a wonderful thing to happen (54 sc. 2).

12

• Two on the same piece of wreckage would stand a
  better chance than each on their own (56 sc. 3).

13

• I have been performing tricks for you, Torvald.
  Thats how Ive survived. You wanted it like
  that. You and Papa have done me a great wrong.
  Its because of you Ive made nothing of my life
  (68 sc. 3).

14

• I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora
  bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man
  would sacrifice his honour for the one he loves
  (71 sc. 3).