Find Examples Or Specific Passages Which Would Support These Important Themes of the Play

A Doll’s House

Henrik Ibsen

¨ Find examples or specific passages which would support these important themes of the play:

· Deception

· Appearance vs. reality

· Self-sacrifice

· Women’s place/role in society

· Women’s rights & feminist equality

· Relationships

According to Ibsen, he wanted A Doll’s House to illuminate the problem of human rights, not merely women’s rights; he is arguing for social justice.

¨ Discuss the significance of these quotes:

· “Free from care. To be able to be free from care, quite free from care; to be able to play and romp with the children; to be able to keep the house beautifully and everything just as Torvald likes it!” (pg. 13) Nora

· “A wonderful thing is going to happen.” (pg. 46) Nora

· “From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance –“ (pg. 63) Torvald

· “I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. You would have it so. You and Papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I’ve made nothing of my life.” (pg. 60) Nora

¨ Compare Torvald’s and Nora’s attitudes toward money.

¨ What does Torvald’s fascination with beauty and appearances imply about his

personality? Do his attitudes change at all over the course of the play?

¨ What are the significance of the following metaphors and symbols:

· A doll in a doll’s house

· Torvald’ pet names for Nora: (i.e., little squirrel, skylark, songbird)

· The tarantella

· New Year’s Day