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Written by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen in 1879, the play is well-known for its shocking ending, which attracted both criticism and admiration from audiences when it premiered. I have heard that when a wife deserts her husband’shouse, as I am doing now, he is legally freed from all obligations towards her.In any case, I set you free from all your obligations. You are not to feelyourself bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must beperfect freedom on both sides.
Summary of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
She gave up her daughter, whom she had out of wedlock, in order to accept a position as Nora's nurse. After Nora leaves the keys and her wedding ring, Torvald breaks down crying. Nora then leaves the house, her action emphasized with her slamming of the front door. Torvald brings up his concern with reputation again, and insists that she fulfill her duty as a wife and mother.
Henrik Ibsen's “A Doll's House” on stage at Tehran theater - Tehran Times
Henrik Ibsen's “A Doll's House” on stage at Tehran theater.
Posted: Wed, 05 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Money and Work
I assure you it is extremely painful forme. He would make my position in the Bank intolerable. So you are going to be dressed up tomorrow Nora. I will tellyou what—I shall come in for a moment and see you in your fine feathers.But I have completely forgotten to thank you for a delightful eveningyesterday. As a matter of fact, it is something you could help mewith. Let us sit down here on the sofa.
Henrik Ibsen
NORA.How fresh and well you look! Such red cheeks like apples and roses. [Thechildren all talk at once while she speaks to them.] Have you had greatfun? What, you pulled both Emmy and Bob along on thesledge?
Analysis of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
He is overly preoccupied with appearances and decorum. It’s not hard to see why, in fact. And the answer lies in the conventional domestic scenarios that were often the subject of European plays of the period when Ibsen was writing. Indeed, these scenarios are well-known to anyone who’s read Ibsen’s play, because A Doll’s House is itself a classic example of this kind of conventional play. Nora is distraught, and sure enough, Torvald blames her – until another letter from Krogstad arrives, cancelling Nora’s debt to him, whereupon Torvald forgives her completely. But Torvald refuses to grant Nora’s request when she beseeches him to go easy on Krogstad and give him another chance.
NORA.[takes her hand out of his and goes to the opposite side of the ChristmasTree]. How hot it is in here; and I have such a lot to do. HELMER.My dear, I have often seen it in the course of my life as a lawyer. Almosteveryone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother. THE CHILDREN.[in the doorway on the left]. Mother, the stranger man has gone outthrough the gate.
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Over the years, she has slowly been paying it off by saving from her allowance. HELMER.You have loved me as a wife ought to love her husband. Only you had notsufficient knowledge to judge of the means you used. But do you suppose you areany the less dear to me, because you don’t understand how to act on yourown responsibility? No, no; only lean on me; I will advise you and direct you.I should not be a man if this womanly helplessness did not just give you adouble attractiveness in my eyes. You must not think anymore about the hardthings I said in my first moment of consternation, when I thought everythingwas going to overwhelm me.
A Doll's House Study Guide
We learn that Kristine and Krogstad used to be lovers. While at Krogstad’s to plead Nora’s case, Kristine tells him that she only married her husband because it was convenient for her, but now that he is dead she can offer him her love again. She justifies her actions by blaming them on dire financial straits and being lovelorn.
Nora again presses Torvald to retain Krogstad but he is adamant to do so and sends the maid with Krogstad’s letter of dismissal. Next, Dr. Rank arrives after Torvald leaves and Nora thinks about asking him to help her in her struggle with Torvald. But, Dr. Rank reveals that he is in love with her.
But it is a good thing thatour hard times are over. But there is no need; as a matter of course he will come to dinner with us.However, I will ask him when he comes in this morning. I have ordered some goodwine.
You can’t see them just now, for they are out with their nurse.But now you must tell me all about it. HELMER.You are an odd little soul. You always find some new wayof wheedling money out of me, and, as soon as you have got it, it seems to meltin your hands. You never know where it has gone. Still, one must take you asyou are.
You and papa have committed a greatsin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life. HELMER.And suffered agonies, and seen no way out but—.
[Opens the box.] Go in to them. You will see tomorrow how charming I shall look. NURSE.At last I have found the box with the fancy dress. But below your signature there were a few lines constituting your fathera surety for the money; those lines your father should have signed.
I was expectinglittle Ivar’s birth every day and I had my poor sick Torvald to lookafter. My dear, kind father—I never saw him again, Christine. That wasthe saddest time I have known since our marriage. Ibsen's German agent felt that the original ending would not play well in German theaters. In addition, copyright laws of the time would not preserve Ibsen's original work. Therefore, for it to be considered acceptable, and prevent the translator from altering his work, Ibsen was forced to write an alternative ending for the German premiere.
According to it a woman has no right to spare herold dying father, or to save her husband’s life. [Goes to the door andlistens.] No—it is no one. Of course, no one will come today,Christmas Day—nor tomorrow either. But, perhaps—[opens the doorand looks out].
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