A Doll's House Flashcards
Hans Neuenfels 1972 production:
- At Stuttgart
- Demonstrates the failure of communication and honesty
- Characters move like puppets and face the audience
‘Love’s Comedy’
- ‘immoral’
- Cynical look on the temporariness of spousal love
Macfarlane’s opinion on Nora
‘Emancipated woman’
End of the play according to Laan 1880s published.
Comparison to Maître Guérin
- Departure of wife (admits they have know knowledge of man-made laws but follow ‘the wisdom of the heart’)
- Change in costume –> Louis Guérin puts on uniform symbolising change in command in family as he replaces his father. –> Nora changes from ‘masquerade costume’ to ‘every-day dress’ and her true identity.
When is A Doll’s House set?
1879
Where did A Doll’s House premier?
21st December 1987
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- 8000 copies sold in the 2 weeks before
Who is a Doll’s House based on?
Laura Kieler
Ibsen’s childhood:
- Born in Skien, Norway 1828
- Family became impoverished when he was 8. Father became alcoholic.
- Became apprentice to apothecary and studied medicine –> failed entrance exam so dedicated himself to literature
Ibsen’s illegitimate son:
- 18 years
- Paid child support
Ibsen’s career:
- Became director of Norwegian theatre in Bergen
- 1858 –> became director of National Theatre in Christiania (Oslo)
- 1864 –> 27 year exile from Norway.
- Returned to Norway 1891
‘But only what has been lived through can be seen in that way and accepted in that way’
- He writes about his experiences
- Allegoric –> morality
Ibsen as a dramatist:
‘Father of Modern Drama’
Ibsen on liberalism:
‘in spirit and sincerity to realise ourselves.’
Beginning of realism:
- Began in Europe in 2nd half of 19th century.
Features of realism:
- Middle, lower and lower-middle classes –> work, family life, language, dress and problems. No heroes.
- Mimetic approach to theatre –> create illusion of everyday life on stage
- Sentimental, didactic, melodramas.
- Contemporary settings.
- Common language (no soliloquies)
- Short denouement (resolution) and an open ending.
What 19th century genre was Ibsen’s play?
‘well-made’
Features of ‘well-made’ genre?
- Act 1 - introduces, Act 2 - complicates, Act 3 - resolves.
- Characters are uncomplicated and easily identified.
February Revolution 1848:
- Led to the French Second Republic
- Democratic reform
Parliamentarianism
- Democratic
- Vote for leader of parliament
How did Ibsen view the second ending of A Doll’s House?
‘barbaric outrage’
Social commentary by Ibsen: An Enemy of the People
1882
- Pollution
- Political cover-ups
- Freedom of the press
Social commentary by Ibsen: Brand
1866
- Inspired by Kierkegaard’s idea of subjectivity as truth.
- Priest follows high principles at cost of family.
Social commentary by Ibsen: The Emperor and the Galilean
1873
- Christianity
- Paganism
Social commentary by Ibsen: Pillars of Society
1877
- Wealthy and hypocritical businessman
- Perilous curse results in death of son
