A Doll's House

Question 1

Basic Facts

Answer 1

• 1879
• Henrik Ibsen-Norwegian
• Play

Question 2

Context of Play

Answer 2

• Based on rising middle class
• Ibsen wanted to help free individuals from limits imposed by society

Question 3

Theme - Morals

Answer 3

• Throughout the play, Nora loses faith in her own morality
• Torvald thinks of himself as a guardian of morality; “A stench of lies and deceit poisons the whole household”
• Torvalds reputation is important to him; “No man can sacrifice honour for the one he loves
• One of Nora’s first word is hide - shows her nature

Question 4

Theme - Fate and Free Will

Answer 4

• Dr Rank is diseased due to his parents indulgent lifestyle - shows corruption of society that ignores its own problems
• Torvald believes in heredity - Nora’s money spending comes from her father; “It’s in your blood”

Question 5

Themes - Gender

Answer 5

• Nora is seen as unnatural for failing her role as a mother and wife
• Torvald believes it is natural for women to be primarily concerned with “little things”
• Ibsen uses phrases such as “pet” and “property” to describe Nora
• Torvald uses personal pronouns when talking about Nora
• When Nora was in control of money it was “almost like being a man”.

Question 6

Themes - Deception

Answer 6

• Nora borrows money from Krogstad secretly, despite claiming honesty
• Parallel between Nora and Krogstad - deception leads to life unravelling
• Nora; “You know I could never act against your wishes”
• Torvald; “The thing must be hushed up at all costs” shows Torvald is willing to lie when it suits

Question 7

Character - Nora

Answer 7

• Wife of Torvald
• Most concerned with being the perfect wife
• Referred to with pet names; “singing lark”, “little squirrel”, “little spendthrift”
• viewed as an object - possessive pronouns
• Nora; “I’ll do everything you like Torvald. I’ll sing for you, dance for you
• Mrs Linde; “Especially since you know little about the worries and hardships of life

Question 8

Torvald

Answer 8

• Husband of Nora
• Bank manager who represents social structure and the patriarchy
• little positive in his characterisation
• Torvald; “My little songbird must never do that again”
• Torvald; “Now my little songbirds talking like a real human being” - implies she wasnt before

Question 9

Character - Krogstad

Answer 9

• Lends money to Nora and uses it to blackmail her
• Disgraced banker trying to get his job back
• “He’s crippled all right, morally twisted” - disability before personality
• “No bigger nor worse a crime than the one I once commited and thereby ruined my whole social position”
• “If I get thrown into the gutter for a second time, I shall take you with me”

Question 10

Character - Mrs Linde

Answer 10

• Childhood friend of Nora
• Widow and desperate for work
• Used to be in love with Krogstad
• “Just unspeakably empty, No one to talk to”.