A Doll House

Henrik Ibsen

Modern Drama

Read the letter from a Princeton mom to the women of Princeton University (yes, this is real and was published in the Princeton newspaper). When you are done, write a letter back to the mother addressing the issues that she raises and whether you think she is giving good advice. Half page please

Warm Up

Modern drama began in the second half of the 19th century and continues today.

Modern playwrights include T.S. Eliot, Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekov, Henrik Ibsen, and many more.

Modern Drama

Literary technique that attempts to create the appearance of life as it is actually experienced

• Common Language, NOT Highly poetic language formal declarations, asides, or soliloquies

• Everyday people and events, NO heroes or the saving a kingdom.

• Opening of the eyes and the minds of an audience, NOT melodrama with happy endings.

Realism

• A drama that represents a social issue in order to awaken the audience to the problem.

• Typically reject romantic plots and focus on the way the world actually is (according to the writer) instead of the way that the audience wants the world to be.

Problem Play

• An extreme form of Realism

• Takes the attitude that humans are a part of nature, and are no different than any other form of life

• Naturalistic plays often portray humans as victims overwhelmed by internal and external forces beyond their control

Naturalism

• Picture Frame Staging

• Lifelike Set Design

• Accurate Props

• Realistic dialogue between characters

• Actors address each other, rather than using soliloquys or monologues to give the audience information

• Actors use the realistic set as if it were the actual world

Conventions of Modern Drama

• the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of men and women

• Believes that women should have all of the same rights, advantages and opportunities as men, in all aspects of life

Keep this idea in mind as we read the play!

Feminism

• Born in Skien, a tiny coastal town in the south of Norway

• Merchant father went bankrupt – raised in poverty

• Mother was a painter and loved theatre

• Age 18 – fathered and supported his illegitimate child through journalism

• Failed his entrance exam to the university where he had hoped to become a physician

• Ibsen’s best-known works were structured as social commentary

Peer Gynt (1867) was a satiric fantasy about a boastful egoist, irresponsible young man, an Ulyssean figure from Norwegian folklore.

The Emperor and the Galilean (1873) Ibsen believed this to be his most important play - heavy drama about Christianity and paganism.

Pillars of Society (1877) dealt with a wealthy and hypocritical businessman, whose perilous course almost results in the death of his son.

A Doll House (1879) was a social drama, which caused a sensation and toured Europe and America.

Henrik Ibsen – 1828 - 1906

Nora Helmer -  The protagonist of the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer.

Torvald Helmer -  Nora’s husband. Torvald delights in his new position at the bank, just as he delights in his position of authority as a husband.

Krogstad -  A lawyer who went to school with Torvald and holds a subordinate position at Torvald’s bank.

Mrs. Linde -  Nora’s childhood friend. Kristine Linde is a practical, down-to-earth woman, and her sensible worldview highlights Nora’s somewhat childlike outlook on life.

Dr. Rank -  Torvald’s best friend.

Bob, Emmy, and Ivar -  Nora and Torvald’s three small children.

Anne-Marie -  The Helmers’ nanny.

Nora’s father -  Nora’s father is dead before the action of the play begins, but the characters refer to him throughout the play.

A Doll House – Character List

1. What does it mean to ‘have it all’?

2. What are some of the obstacles that men and women face in their pursuit to have it all?

3. Who is it harder for and why (as far as having it all): men or women? Why?

Can women (or anyone) have it all?