March 1

Torvald Sympathy Scale: Where do you lie?

My opinion on Torvald at this stage of this play is that I greatly dislike him. This is because of his actions towards his wife and others have not been appropriate or kind.

Even considering the time, I feel that he sometimes justified what he did by the idea that it was socially ok, even though somethings he did were not ok. He may be a victim of society but he the way he acts in his home is how he chooses as no one else can see how he acts, in his home he can choose how he acts, free of any pressure.

 

Things that Torval does that make him a controversial or villain:

  • He treats Nora as a lesser being even though they are married and should be in a relationship where she is not an item that he owns.
    • “My lark” (act one)
    • “My little spendthrift” (act one)
  • He also tries to rape Nora, this kind of action is not acceptable in any way or situation.
  • He talks badly about Ms linde behind her back
    • ” at last we’ve got rid of her; she’s an awful bore” (act three)
  • He does not give Krogstad a job because of personal history and dislike for him
    • ” It gives me a positive sense of physical discomfort to come in contact with such people” (act one)

 

February 6

Torvald Sympathy Scale

From the scale of 10, I think my sympathy towards Torvald is confusing making me in the middle being a 3. Torvald is not consistent in his behavior towards Nora making it very difficult to interpret his true self. According, to the Victorian expectations of showing vast amount of pride, protectiveness and superior over women, Torvald very much fulfills this as in Act (2.113) Torvald as he says “Do you suppose I am going to make myself ridiculous before my whole staff, to let people think that I am a man to be swayed by all sorts of outside influence?” referring to his wife as he is afraid to seem weak in public by listening to his wife. On the other hand, Nora encourages it by saying things like “Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants” (2.92). Therefore, It is very difficult to sympathize with Torvald completely or the other way around.

 

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

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.