A Doll’s House

IB English HL 1: Dialectical Journal

Dialectical Journal: A formal log that catalogues the conversation between the author and the reader of a text.
Also referred to as a reader-response journal or a double-entry journal.

Directions: Use the following chart to record your evidence while analyzing the play. Your goal is to accurately
identify multiple themes or intentional authorial choices throughout the text, as well as how the author relates
those to the audience using intentional craft and technique. There should be multiple pieces of evidence for each
theme/intention, and commentary should be in the form of brief bullet points.

If you are struggling with craft & technique, revisit these notes: Introduction to Drama

Theme Statement/ Textual Evidence Commentary on Evidence

Author’s Intention Including Speaker & Citation & Analysis of Craft

In the classic play, A Krogstad: “But I can assure you
Doll’s House, Henrik that my one false step, which lost
Ibsen deliberately me all my reputation, was nothing
illustrates social more or nothing worse than what
expectations by you have done” (24).
utilizing two Krogstad: “...if I lose my position a
contrasting second time, you shall lose…” (25)
characters. Helmer: I have got authority from
the retiring manager to undertake
necessary changes in the saff and in
the rearrangement of the work…”
(26)
Helmer: “Just think how a guilty
man like that has to lie and play the
hypocrite with everyone…” (27).
● In the play, Torvald must protect his
appearance/reputation because he has a
high position at his job, everyone respects
him.
● On the other hand, Krogstad is not
respected by society because he doesn’t
have a high position and is on the verge
of losing his job due to his reputation.
● Ibsen is able to display this by using the
characterization of both men and creating
a contrasting/foil effect throughout the
play.

Henrik Ibsen’s Helmer: “And as for you and me, it ● Since Helmer is a well and respected
prominent play, A must appear as if everything man, he does not want to lose his perfect
Doll’s House, between us were just as before…” reputation.
illustrates that one’s (60). ● Once he finds out about Nora, he decides
reputation is far more Helmer: *reads the second letter* that she may not take care of the kids, but
crucial compared to “Yes, it is true! I am saved Nora, I they have to pretend as if everything is
significant issues am saved” (60). perfect. After the second letter comes, he
within. quickly tells Nora that he is saved from
all the embarrassment and shame it
would’ve caused.
● Instead of thanking Nora for ultimately
saving his life, he determines that his
reputation was far more crucial than his
wife.

Henrik Ibsen utilizes Stage direction: [Puts the bag of ● The macaroons that Helmer forbids
symbolism in order macaroons into her pockets and symbolizes the dominance that he has
to portray the wipes her mouth] (4). over Nora.
dominance an Helmer: “Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth
individual has over been breaking rules in town today?”
another. (7)
Helmer: “Not been nibbling
sweets?...Not even taken a bite at a
macaroon or two?” (7)
Rank: “What macaroons? I thought
they were forbidden here” (17).
In Henrik Ibsen’s Nora: “It is splendid to feel that
play, A Doll’s House, one has a perfectly safe
differentiation of appointment, and a big enough
social class is income” (7).
portrayed, as those Mrs. Linde: “I only feel my life
who are of a higher unspeakably empty. No one to live
class are for anymore” (11)
inconsiderate to Nora: “Oh, don’t be angry with
lower classes. me!” (11).
Ibsen intentionally Nora: “Yes, you see how much I
displays Nora's need it. You must coach me up to
costume/dance to the last minute” (46)
symbolize her Helmer: “Aha! So little miss
willingness to independent’s in trouble and needs
pretend to be a man to rescue her, does she?” (46)
something she is not Helmer: “She danced her
in order to satisfy her Tarantella, and it had been a
controlling husband. tremendous success…” (53)
Henrik Ibsen Helmer: “Is it my little squirrel
purposely utilizes bustling about?” (4)
birds/pets to Helmer: “My little song bird must
symbolize that never do that again” (26)
although pets may be Helmer: “The squanderbird’s pretty
trapped/caged, they little creature but she goes through
have a mind of their an awful lot of money. It’s
own and are capable incredible what an expensive pet
of being independent. she is for a man to keep” (6)
In Henrik Ibsen’s Maid/Nurse: “Little Nora, poor
play, A Doll’s House, dear, had not mother but me “ (30)
he displays that Nora: “You are proud, aren’t you,
oftentimes, women of having worked so hard and long
have to sacrifice for your mother?” (9)
numerous things in Nora: “That trip was to save my
order to satisfy husband’s life; I couldn’t give it up”
others. (24)
● This could also possibly portray that
Helmer wants to keep Nora in a perfect,
doll-like shape, so he prevents her from
eating sweets.
●
● The entire is based off of money, Nora
borrowed money, Krogstad Needs a job
in order to have money, Mrs. Linde also
needs a job, and Helmer now has a job
where he will get more money.
● Without giving much thought, Nora talks
to Mrs. Linde about how much their life
will change because of Helmer’s new
position, meanwhile Mrs. Linde is in
need of a job/money.
● The upper class is respected more
compared to the lower class
Ex. Krogstad and Helmer
● Nora asks Helmer for help to help build
his ego/dominance.
● More pretends to be helpless in order to
give Helmer the feeling as if she is still
dependent from her for everything
● After/During the dance, Nora begins
realize that the relationship is ultimately
over, Helmer is playing with her as if she
is a doll and he has the power to make her
do anything
● Helmer deliberately talks to Nora as if
she is an animal and calls her different
names such as; songbird and skylark.
● He does this in order to imply/depict his
ownership/dominance over Nora
● The maid/nurse had to sacrifice her own
family in order to raise Nora when she
was a child and also raise Nora’s children
● Mrs. Linde left Krogstad because she
needed to be with a rich man in order to
help her family.
● Lastly, Nora sacrifices herself (and
everything) in order to save her husband’s
 life.

Henrik Ibsen portrays Helmer: “Why shouldn’t I look at
women to be my dearest treasure?- at all the
doll-like in order to beauty that is mine, all my very
illustrate that men own?” (55)
view them as having Nora: “My father called me his doll
dominance over child, and he played with me just as
beautiful objects that I used to play with my dolls” (62)
ultimately satisfy Nora: “I am looking forward
them. tremendously to the fancy-dress
ball at the…” (26).
● Helmer looks at Nora as if she is a
precious doll that he cannot lose, so he
takes control of her
● Nora has alreaDy experienced this
behavior from her father, he used to play
with Nora like a doll. Nora was tired of
being treated like this so she put an end to
it

Henrik Ibsen Helmer: “There you are. [Gives her ● It seems as if money keeps Nora in the
deliberately depicts some money]” (5) toxic relationship with Helmer.
that money is a type Nora: “Ten shillings- a pound- two ● Nora is dependent when it comes to
of motivation that pounds! Thank you, thank you, money. Helmer pays her and that is how
continues the Torvald; that will keep me going for she saves her money in order to buy
suffrage and sacrifice a long time” (5). herself things.
of women in a Nora: “...he will have a big salary
relationship and lots of commissions. For the
future, we can live quite
differently…” (9).

In Henrik Ibsen’s Mrs Linde: “No, a wife cannot
classical play, A borrow without her husband’s
Doll’s House, he consent” (13).
depicts that countless Mrs Linde: “Castaways have a
individuals will stay better chance of survival together
within social norms than on their own” (52).
in order to be Helmer: I have got authority from
accepted and the retiring manager to undertake
respected by society necessary changes in the saff and in
the rearrangement of the work…”
(26)
● Mrs. Linde illustrated that one will be
shamed if a women doesn’t ask or talk
about money with their husband, since
men are ultimately the ones that will
bring home the money
● Mrs. Linde says she is better off with a
man, rather than working and living by
herself
● Helmer cares more about what his
coworkers will have to say rather than
giving Krogstad a chance.
● These examples deliberately ortay that
the characters will do anything to be
accepted by society.

Critical Theory & Lens of Focus: What role does the work play in terms of women's literary history and
literary tradition?

Textual Evidence Analysis of Evidence

Including Speaker & Citation

Nora: “Yes, you see how much I need it. You must Historical:
coach me up to the last minute” (46) Women became more independent and more people
Helmer: “Why shouldn’t I look at my dearest started to realize that these roles were unfair
treasure?- at all the beauty that is mine, all my very Traditional:
own?” (55) Martial/gender roles
Nora: “Ten shillings- a pound- two pounds! Thank -The wife stays home meanwhile the husbands goes to
you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a work
long time” (5). The man always has dominance over the household
Compares to other novels; TGG or CDF