A DOLL’S HOUSE
Henrik Ibsen
BIOGRAPHY
 Ibsen’s father was once a prosperous merchant but was
bankrupt by the time Ibsen was 6.
 In 1844, Ibsen left his family to become a druggist’s
apprentice. He visited his family only once afterward.
 Poverty left its mark on Ibsen—He was resentful,
rebellious, and unsociable.
BIOGRAPHY
He was a member of a radical club that was critical of the
time period.
After being encouraged by those who shared his views, he
began to write inflammatory patriotic verses.
After growing tired of this direction, he wrote his first play
in 1849.
IBSEN’S DRAMAS
Romantic Period ( 1850-1873)
Realistic Period (1877-1890)
- “A Doll’s House” (1879)
Symbolist Period (1892-1899)
A DOLL’S HOUSE
Dealt with the issue of the position of a woman in
marriage and society.
1. In Ibsen’s days, the following descriptions of marriage
were prevalent:
a. In the business of the home, the wife was more of
a servant than a helper.
b. She could influence home policies and decisions
ONLY indirectly by suggestions to her husband.
A DOLL’S HOUSE
c. She was expected to look up to her husband as an
Ideal-Maker.
d. She was to follow the lead of her husband: “I will
be your conscience and your will.”
e. She would therefore become a somewhat useful
but very decorative member of the household, to be loved
and cherished by her husband, but not to share in any
family responsibilities or troubles.
DRAMA TERMS
CONFLICT

Struggle or clash between opposing forces
Internal
External
CLIMAX
 Moment of great emotional intensity or suspense in the
plot
 As the conflict grows, the tension increases and comes to a
climax
 Often marks the moment when the conflict is decided one
way or another
COMPLICATIONS
 Some obstacle (s) that must be overcome
DRAMATIC STRUCTURE
DIALOGUE
 Conversation between characters
MONOLOGUE
 A long speech by one character to one or more
other characters onstage
SOLILOQUY
 A speech by a character who is alone onstage, speaking
to himself or herself or to the audience
CHARACTER FOIL
 A character who emphasizes, by contrast or comparison,
the distinctive characteristics and qualities of a main
character
TYPES OF IRONY
 Irony
 Situational
 Dramatic
 Verbal
 Sarcasm
 Hyperbole/Exaggeration
 Understatement
IRONY
 Irony
- the contrast between what is expected or what
appears to be and what actually is
 Situational Irony - refers to a happening that is the opposite
of what is expected or intended
 Dramatic Irony - occurs when the audience or reader knows
something important that a character does not know
IRONY
 Verbal
Irony - the contrast between what is said and
what is actually meant
 Sarcasm - a type of verbal irony often in the form of a remark in
which the literal meaning is complimentary but the actual meaning is
critical
 Hyperbole- a figure of speech that uses exaggeration to emphasize
strong feelings or to create a satiric effect
 Understatement - the technique of creating emphasis by saying less
than what is actually or literally true