Doll House Analysis Question
Review
World Lit, Fall 2011
1. One of the main characteristics of modern drama is realism.
How realistically does Act I of A Doll House portray the
relationship between Nora and Torvald? Develop your thoughts
in an essay supported by examples.
• Realistically
– Shows basic home-life
– Traditional family
structure
– Flawed relationships (no
marriage is “perfect”)
• Not Realistically
– No way she could keep a
secret for so long
– No man would be so
clueless as to his wife’s
personality
2. Attitudes about the role of women in the world have changed
significantly since Ibsen’s play was written. Do you think that
what happens to Nora and Helmer is nonetheless relevant to
men and women today? In a brief essay, state your opinion. Then,
give examples of issues with which men and women today do or
do not continue to struggle.
Still Relevant
Not Relevant Anymore
• Spouses still keep secrets
• Individuals still pretend to
be someone they aren’t
• Women are not dependent
on men the way Nora was
on her father or husband
3. In Act II of A Doll House, nineteenth-century beliefs about men,
women, and marriage intensify Nora’s conflicts. In a brief essay,
describe how and why Nora feels increasingly trapped by the
roles she is expected to play as a wife and mother and how those
roles increase her feelings of desperation about her situation.
• Nora is expected to be: submissive, only
concerned with the home/children, she’s not
expected to be able to “handle” complicated
situations
• Nora feels trapped because: she had a secret that
would cause her to be rejected by society, she is
expected to be someone she’s not, and she was
never encouraged to develop her own thoughts
or strengths
4. How is the theme of A Doll House reflected in the title?
Develop your answer in an essay supported by examples
from the text.
• Dollhouse = plaything, fake, seemingly perfect
• Marriage is seemingly perfect, but eventually
shows its flaws
• Torvald treats Nora as his plaything, she in
turn treats the children as her playthings
• In a way, their marriage is fake---they don’t
truly know or understand each other
5. By the end of Act III of A Doll House, Nora finally decides to
take responsibility for her life by leaving Torvald and her
children. In an essay, evaluate whether she has made the right
decision. Use details from the play to support your evaluation.
Good Decision
Bad Decision
• Her marriage was basically
fake, not worth saving
• If she doesn’t understand
herself or the world around
her, she has no business
raising children
• “If Momma ain’t happy,
ain’t nobody happy”
• Torvald is kind of a jerk,
good riddance
• SHE LEFT HER CHILDREN!
• (and her husband)
• She should have tried
harder to make it work
• Left no explanation, didn’t
want kids to contact her, no
support from her
(ex)husband
• She had no plan!