A Doll House
Henrik Ibsen
Modern Drama
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.
Realism
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.
Problem Play
• 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.
Naturalism
• 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
Conventions of Modern Drama
• 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
Feminism
• 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!
Henrik Ibsen – 1828 - 1906
• 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.
A Doll House – Character List
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-toearth 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.
Now…
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. ¾ page please
Can women (or anyone) have it all?
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?