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…

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.

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.

October 12

First impressions of Nora

Ibsen manages to portray Nora as a carefree, conceited, childish wife in the beginning of the play. She is shown as incredibly materialistic and self obsessed. Her nature is portrayed in the way she allows her husband to address her in such a condescending tone. He uses strange pet names for her and and treats her like a little child. I feel like, because of this, she acts juvinial, and the attitude of her husband causes her to try and prove herself to him and show him how responsible she can be.

We can also see how cheeky and untrustworthy she really is. An example of this is how she tries to hide the fact that she was eating macaroons when she wasn’t allowed. This portrays how she tends to keep information from her husband.

Her conceited nature is seen when her friend arrives, whom she has not spoken to for 10 years. It is astounding how Nora cannot stop speaking of her own wonderful life and showing off to a woman who has suffered so much, whom she calls her friend.

Nora also appears to be obsessed with money, and keen on spending it. So much so that she even borrows money to satisfy her wants (without her husband’s permission). Also, all she wants is money from her husband, and doesn’t care much about his love and affection.

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