Do Now
 What rights have women won during the last 50
years? The last 100 years? How has the status of
women changed? For what rights are women still
fighting?
A Doll’s House
Henrik Ibsen
Henrik Ibsen
 Born in Norway in 1828
 His father was a successful merchant, but he ended up in
bankruptcy, and the family had to move to a cramped
apartment.
 Ibsen left home at 15, escaping an alcoholic father and a
cold, pious mother.
 Many of his plays feature a defeated father and “lost”
mother.
 Fathered an illegitimate child (whom he never met), and
Ibsen became a medical student at the University of Oslo.
 Many of his dramas depict doctors as heroes.
Henrik Ibsen
 Some of his early plays were brief successes, but
most were considered melodramatic and flopped
terribly. He later became an alcoholic.
 His life took a turn for the better when he married in
1858 and had a son.
 In 1868, Ibsen moved to Germany. During his time
there, he saw his social drama The Pillars of Society
first performed in Munich. The play helped launch
his career and was soon followed up by one of his
most famous works, A Doll's House.
Henrik Ibsen
 In 1891, Ibsen returned to Norway after 27 years away from
his homeland.
 He sank into a depression for years and died in 1906.

Received a state funeral from the Norwegian government
Henrik Ibsen
 Ibsen was known for:
 Being the “father of modern theater.”
 Removing sentiment and intrigue.
 Slow action with an emphasis instead on exploration
of the characters’ psychological and moral
development.
 Elaborately realistic sets depicting upper middle class
interiors.
Henrik Ibsen
 Ibsen's works have held up over the years because he
tapped into universal themes and explored the
human condition in a way unlike any of those before
him.
 Author James Joyce once wrote that Ibsen "has
provoked more discussion and criticism [than] that
of any other living man." To this day, his plays
continue to challenge his audiences.
“Henrik Ibsen.” 2012. Biography.com 29 Oct 2012, 11:00
http://www.biography.com/people/henrik-ibsen-37014
A Doll’s House
 Ibsen’s best known play – 1879
 Follows the story of Nora Helmer
 Husband is Torvald Helmer, a smug bank manager
who treats her patronizingly
 Nora has been keeping a secret from her husband.
 When Torvald was ill and Nora’s father lay dying, she
forged a financial paper to save her husband’s life.
Themes
 The deception of appearances
 Sacrifices of women in marriage
 The obligation of parents to be moral, upstanding
citizens
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Act 1 of A Doll’s House and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 Why do people marry? Can a loveless marriage ever
work? What would be your criteria for a healthy
marriage? Once married, what should a person’s
commitment be to his or her family?
Act 1
 What atmosphere does the opening scene of the play
create?
 Did the first act raise any questions in your mind? Is
there anything you would like to ask Nora?
 For what does Helmer criticize Nora? Do you think
it bothers her? What does the nature of their
relationship seem to be?
Act 1
 What do you learn about Krogstad’s past? How are
Krogstad and Nora linked? Do you have sympathy
for one more than the other?
 Do you think Nora is a good mother? Does Helmer
think so? Why does he assume Krogstad is a bad
parent?
 What are your impressions of Dr. Rank? Why do you
think he visits everyday?
Act 1
 Does Nora believe Helmer’s idea that juvenile
delinquency is generally traceable to mothers? Do
you?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Act 2 of A Doll’s House and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 How do people figure out who they are and who they
want to be? How would you describe your ideal self ?
What stands in the way of your goals? When do you
feel trapped, helpless, or bored?
Act 2
 Why does Helmer have it in for Krogstad? What does
this show you about the kind of person Helmer is?
 What doesn’t Dr. Rank want Helmer visiting him
during his decline? What is the nature and purpose
of the visiting card code that Dr. Rank has devised?
Do you think he is prohibiting Nora from visiting
him during his decline?
Act 2
 What favor do you think Nora is about to ask Dr.
Rank? Why doesn’t she finish asking?
 What are Nora’s feelings for Dr. Rank? Do you think
she had led him on? Was she aware of how he felt?
Do you think Helmer is aware of how Dr. Rank feels
about Nora?
 Why do you think Nora tells Mrs. Linde to promise
that if something happens to Nora, no one else is to
take the blame? Who is she protecting?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Read Act 3 of A Doll’s House and answer the
corresponding questions.
Do Now
 When do you find yourself trying to control other
people? When have others tried to control you?
How much do you control your own life?
Act 3
 Why did Mrs. Linde end her relationship with Krogstad years
before? Do you think it is realistic that they patch things up
so quickly? Would things have been different if she had had
no family? Do you think it is realistic that a woman in love
would put her family before her heart?
 Do you agree with Mrs. Linde that Nora and Helmer should
be honest with each other? Is there ever a time for a husband
and wife to keep secrets from each other?
 Should Nora be surprised by Helmer’s reaction to the letter
from Krogstad? Why does he decide to forgive her? Why
doesn’t Nora accept his apology? Should she?
 How does Nora tell off Helmer? Do you think she has
thought of saying all these things before? Do you find the
switch in her attitude believable? Is it credible that she would
leave?
Classwork
 Complete classwork worksheet.
Homework
 Bring three questions for tomorrow’s quiz review.