November 18

Thoughts on the ending of A Doll’s House

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Now that we’ve finished watching the Digital Theatre performance of A Doll’s House, completed reading our translation of Ibsen’s text and read the alternative German ending (Wow! It’s miraculous how much we can get through in a few weeks!) what are your thoughts on Ibsen’s conclusion?

Paying particular attention to the context (Late 19th century Europe) which ending do you believe best fits the societal norms? Additionally, how did you feel as a 21st century reader, when Nora slammed the door on her life?

Leave your much-valued comments below 🙂

P.S Big thank you to Alexis and Elisa for their in-class performance as Helmer and Nora this week!

^ Blame THIS woman for the alternative ending...

^ Blame THIS woman for the alternative ending…

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November 18

Is Nora the angel in the house?

i believe that Nora is a mixture of both the New Woman and the angel in the house. Nora is definitely a caring wife, whom is willing to sacrifice her time and comfort to please her husband. She dresses well for Torvald and dances for him as well. She is also a loving mother who plays with her children and buys them gifts for Christmas. However, the fact that she fraud her father’s signature and borrowed a loan with her husband’s permission suggests two things: she is an angel in the house and a new woman. She borrowed a  loan to save her husband’s life, which shows that she a loving and caring wife. However, it also shows that she is at least trying to be independent. Therefore, Nora fits both criteria.

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November 4

A Doll’s House quote analysis

“I trust you more than anybody I know. You are my best and my most faithful friend. I know that” page 48

At this point, Nora is talking to Dr. Rank. What is surprising at first is seeing Nora calling Dr. Rank the person she trusts the most. This implies to the audience that she probably has married Mr. Helmer not because she actually really loved him, but rather because this was how society wanted her to be. Yet, at the same time, she thinks that Mr. Helmer would do anything for her (“He [Mr. Helmer] would never hesitate for a moment to sacrifice his life for my sake” page 48), reminding the audience of her ‘naivety’.

On the other side, Dr. Rank actually loves Nora (“That I have loved you every bit as much as anybody?” page 49), which adds tension to the scene, since Nora sees Dr. Rank just as a friend. This tension makes the scene in general more memorable to the audience, since the tension by itself reveals more of Nora and Dr. Rank’s relationship.

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November 4

Thoughts on Nora

I think that Nora, no matter how hard she tries to seem as an independent, mature adult, she is still a child. Nora calls herself a “squirrel” infront of Torvald and plays around before saying what she wants. This shows how weak she actually is and emphasizes the strong grip that Torvald has on her.

However, she acts in a totally different way with Dr.Rank. We see how she has dominance over him and controls him. She seduces him to confess his love for her, and then she simply refuses his affection.

I feel sympathy for Nora because she is lost between Torvald and Dr.Rank.

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