Henrik Ibsen was

Biographical information about the author:

Title:_A Dolls House
Author: Henrik Ibsen
Date of Publication: 1879
Genre: Realistic, Modern Prose Drama
Historical information about the period of publication:
During the Victorian Era in the 19th century, the social
classes of England were changing in composition. Since
this time period is characterized by prosperity, many
prosperous and educated individuals were considered a
part of the upper class, despite the class that his/her
family came from. Also, much scientific progress
occurred during this time, ranging from Darwins
Theory of Evolution and Sigmund Freuds theories.
Additionally, the Victorian Era is noted for the restricted
role that it placed on women. Women seemed merely to
have a role in the home and to exist solely for the needs
and desires of men.
born in Norway in 1828. Ibsens father was a
prosperous merchant whose financial failure caused the
family to come to face with disgrace and subsequently
have to move to a farmhouse in Venstop. He got
married in 1858 and had one child. Ibsen wrote several
unsuccessful works and therefore decided to move
abroad in 1864. He traveled for the next 27 years to
places like Rome, Munich and Dresden, where he wrote
some of his most famous works. He returned to Norway
in 1891 after writing works like Hedda Gabler (1890)
and An Enemy of the People (1882). The last years of
his life were accompanied by mental illness until he had
a stroke in 1900.
Characteristics of the genre: Modern drama is the Western
development of drama beginning in the late 19th century,
most famously with the plays of Henrik Ibsen himself. The
role of the play became one of both illumination and
examination, one that was often critical of unbending
morality and traditional society. With its extension into film
and television media, modern drama presents a wide array of
historical and fictional perspectives.

Plot summary:
A Dolls House is the story of a woman named Nora Helmer who secretly borrows a large sum
of money in order to treat her husbands illness. By doing this, she saves her husbands life but
commits a crime in the process. In order to obtain the money, Nora needed to forge her fathers
signature because women did not have the authorization to borrow money independently during this
time. A time after she forges the signature, her husband, Torvald Helmer, receives a job promotion at
the bank. When he takes the new job position, Torvald sees it necessary to fire Nils Krogstad, the
man who lent the money to Nora. Krogstad, who also committed forgery and is therefore looked
down upon by society, threatens to reveal Noras secret unless she could convince her husband to
spare his job. Despite her attempts to convince Torvald not to fire Krogstad, he will not change his
mind because he feels physically ill to work around such an immoral individual. In the end, Krogstad
writes a letter to Mr. Helmer to express Noras crime. Torvald reads the letter, subsequently becomes
enraged, and calls Nora a hypocrite and a liar. He soon forgives her after Krogstad returns the forged
contract back to the Helmers, which would save the Helmers reputation. Torvald quickly forgives his
wife and apologizes for his previous insults. However, Nora has a revelation as she realizes that she
never truly knew and understood her husband and he never really understood her. She then leaves her
husband and asserts her own independence after she recognizes that she has been living a sheltered
and unfulfilling life.
Major Works Data Sheet
Describe the authors style: Ibsen
writes in such a
way that captures the natural speech of each
individual character in relation to who they are
interacting with. This helps the realism that
accompanies his genre of writing.
Quote
One day I might, yes. Many years
from now, when Ive lost my looks a
little. Dont laugh. I mean, of course,
a time will come when Torvald is not
as devoted to me, not quite so happy
when I dance for him, and dress for
him, and play with him.
Free. To be free, absolutely free. To
spend time playing with the children.
To have a clean, beautiful house, the
way Torvald likes it.
Something glorious is going to
happen.
From now on, forget happiness.
Now its just about saving the
remains, the wreckage, the
appearance.
I have been performing tricks for
you, Torvald. Thats how Ive
survived. You wanted it like that.
You and Papa have done me a great
wrong. Its because of you Ive made
nothing of my life.
Page 2
An example that demonstrates the style:
Mr. Helmer states Is that my little lark
twittering out there? (5). This line
illustrates the natural, yet condescending
way that Torvald speaks to his wife.
Memorable Quotes
Significance
This quote is a representation of Noras true understanding of
her marriage with Torvald. Here, she expresses that, when she
becomes older and less attractive, she may consider telling
Torvald of her crime. In this way, she would use her crime as
a method of keeping Torvald devoted to her because the
exposure of her crime would ruin the Helmers reputation.
She acknowledges that there is no substance to their
marriage; rather, it is a faade that is put on to uphold their
standing in society.
In this quote, Nora is expressing the freedom she will have
after she pays off her debt to Krogstad. However, as the play
progresses, she realizes that the actions she once perceived as
expressions of freedom were actually those actions that
restrain her as a woman in the Victorian society.
Here, Nora is describing what she thinks will occur when
Torvald finds out about her forgery. She believes that Torvald
will take the blame for her crime; however, when he does not,
she will come to understand her relationship with Torvald is
not as authentic as it seems.
Torvald makes this statement after he finds out about Noras
crime. Instead of taking the blame for the crime and
sacrificing himself for Nora, he is more concerned with his
appearance to others. This characterizes Torvald as a very
shallow man who is only concerned with his reputation and
not the value of the relationship he shares with his wife.
This quote is a confirmation of Noras understanding of her
relationship with Torvald. She has finally figured out the role
she plays as Torvalds wife and she knows that she must
break free from that unsatisfying position.
Major Works Data Sheet Page 3
Characters
Name Role in the story Significance Adjectives

A wife in a restrained She is the protagonist who Strong, rebellious

Nora Helmer role carved out by eventually comes to realize her self-
society and her worth and breaks away from her
husbands family.
expectations.

Torvald Helmer Noras husband He restrains Nora and treats her like Shallow,
a child. His actions cause her to condescending
leave her home to start anew.

Krogstad Lends Nora money By blackmailing Nora, Krogstad Desperate, conniving

and blackmails her sets up a situation that forces her to
realize the shallow and uncaring
manner of her husband

Mrs. Linde Noras childhood She underscores Noras childlike Sensible, practical
friend mannerisms and adds some realistic
commentary into the situation.

He serves as a contrast to Helmer, Unconcerned,

Dr. Rank Torvalds best friend who cares deeply about accepting
appearances. Dr. Rank is very
uncaring of what others think of
him and very acceptant of his
imminent death.

Bob, Emmy, and The Helmer children They are in the play to highlight Young, innocent
Ivar Noras reaction to her restraining
situation. Even though she seems to
be a caring mother, she feels as if
she needs to abandon her family to
find herself.

She transports the letters from

Anne-Marie The Helmers maid Krogstad to Mr. Helmer and Practical, sacrificial
perpetuates the events that lead up
to the climax of the play.
Major Works Data Sheet
Setting
The story is set in the Victorian era in the late 1870s.
The events of the play take place in the Helmers
apartment. This limited and restrained setting is a
representation of the lifestyle that Nora has lived.
Also, Helmers study and the ballroom are mentioned
in the play, but no substantive action occurs in these
rooms.
Symbols
There are several symbols within the play. The first
symbol is the macaroons which represent Noras
deceitful ways as well as the restraint that her
husband attempts to place on her. The black hat and
black cross that Dr. Rank is associated with denotes
ideas of death. This could be related to the symbolic
death of Noras marriage and her old way of life. The
Christmas tree symbolizes Nora herself because it is
dressed up and pleasing to the eye, just as she is only
visually pleasing to Torvald and nothing else. New
Years Day is also a symbol for renewal and the
rebirth of Noras life.
Possible Themes
1. The role of women in Victorian society.
2. Parental obligations.
3. Appearances versus the reality of a situation.
4. Establishing ones own identity.
Page 4
Significance of the opening scene
In the opening scene, Torvald is speaking to
Nora as if she is a child. He is very
condescending and very controlling of the
money in the family. He calls her a
spendthrift and an extravagant little person.
Also, in this scene, Torvald interrogates Nora
about eating macaroons. These negative
interactions set up an idea in the readers mind
about the conflictions that will come about later
on in the play.
Significance of the ending/closing scene
In this scene, Torvald becomes very upset and
agitated that his reputation is in jeopardy. He
makes harmful comments to Nora and then takes
them back when he finds out his appearance
would no longer be compromised. Nora then
decides to leave Torvald and her children
because of the feigned love that Torvald has had
for her throughout their whole marriage. She
also gives her ring back to Torvald and tells him
never to contact her. This way, she could
completely sever the ties that she made with this
unsatisfying life and move on to become a more
independent and free woman.
Old AP Questions
1971, 1983, 1987, 1988, 1985, 2005, 2009