A Doll's House

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Author:

Henrik Ibsen

Published:

1879

Setting:

Christmas, late 19th century, 3 days, Norway

Major Characters:

Torvald Helmer: concerned with appearance, like Nora's father who treats Nora like a doll. loves his reputation, becomes new bank director
Nora: Helmer's wife, parallel's Krogstad, foils Christine, concerned with appearance, sacrifices children to find herself, leaves Torvald
Dr. Rank: foils Helmer, loves Nora, will die, has a disease that came from his parents

Minor Characters:

Christine Linde: Nora's friend, loves Krogstad, but married someone else
Nils Krogstad: lent Nora the money to help Torvald, loves Christine, works for Torvald
Anne: the children's nurse, parallels Nora, gave away her child, raises Nora's children
Children: dolls to Nora, Nora is afraid she will corrupt them

Themes:

The mistake of a moment can ruin a lifetime.
The individual is of supreme importance.
One's obligation to oneself supercedes one's obligation to others.
Communication and/or honesty are essential to a good marriage. (Do you think this theme has been emphasized enough??)
Children can suffer for sins of their parents.
Every person has a right to his/her own individuality.
Reality is often different from appearance. (Duh!!)

Symbols:

Nora's dress: Tarantella dress, outward appearance, doll's clothes
House: doll's house, superficial
Black: death
Black cross: death for Dr. Rank
Macaroons: Nora's deceit, rebellion (ask JudyMac to give you some, they are pretty good)
Mailbox: trapped Nora
Tarantella: dance for life
Dr. Rank's illness: negative effect of parent's sins

Allusions:

Tarantella: an Italian dance, danced after a spider bite to rid the poison, "dance of life"

Ironies:

Nora borrowed the money to save Torvald's life, but this ruins their marriage.
Torvald says there can be no truth or beauty in a home based on borrowing, but Nora borrowed.
Rank and Torvald condemn Krogstad as morally depraved, but Nora has committed the same crime.
Christmas should be the happiest family time.
Nora expected Torvald to save her.
Torvald views Nora as a spendthrift, but she is really frugal.
Nora questions the nurse about leaving her children, but Nora leaves her own.
Dr. Rank knows Nora better than Torvald.

Point of View:

Play

Ending:

Christine tries to convince Nora to tell Torvald her secret. Nora thinks Torvald will save her, her miracle. But Torvald is worried about his reputation and is angry with her. When Krogstad sends the IOU, Torvald forgives Nora, but she leaves him.

Other Important Notes:

Ibsen had multiple endings: Nora leaves, Nora commits suicide, or they work out their marriage. Exposition: Nora tells Christine. Rising: Nora tells Torvald to keep Krogstad. Climax: Torvald gets angry at Nora. Falling action: Torvald get 2nd letter. Final suspense: sits down to talk. Conclusion: Nora leaves.

Brief Summary:

Nora had borrowed money from Krogstad for Torvald to save his life, but she forged her father's signature. She tells Christine about it, and then Krogstad is going to lose his job to Christine. Krogstad tries to blackmail Nora about the IOU. Torvald is about to become bank manager and really cares about his reputation. Krogstad gives Torvald a note explaining everything. Torvald becomes angry with Nora and forbids her from doing anything as a wife and a mother. Nora thought Torvald would take all the blame or that she could commit suicide, but then Krogstad sends another note taking everything back. Torvald forgives Nora, but she now realizes that they are complete strangers and that she has been a doll for Torvald. So she leaves him and her children so she can find herself.

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