Product Overview
A Doll's House: Challenging Gender Roles
Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House remains one of the most performed plays globally, captivating audiences with its critical exploration of societal norms and personal liberation.
Ordering Books for A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
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Notes About The Literary Touchstone Classics Edition of A Doll's House
We think the Literary Touchstone Classic edition of A Doll's House is the best for classroom use. These affordable editions of beloved works are designed by former educators with the needs of both teachers and students in mind.
To help students fully understand the classic work they're studying, every Literary Touchstone Classic includes pre-reading notes that cite important aspects of the text that students should examine and question while reading. Each book also contains an extensive vocabulary list and a glossary that explains unfamiliar allusions and challenging passages.
If you're looking for books that will last for years, Literary Touchstone Classics fit the bill. Sturdy bindings and high-quality paper ensure they'll hold up to repeated use, and they're made in the U.S.A.
Other Editions
If you need to add onto a class set of a different edition or simply prefer another edition, contact us with the ISBN or edition, and we'll check the availability for you.
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About the Play A Doll's House |
A Doll's House revolves around the life of Nora Helmer, a seemingly typical housewife who appears to lead an ideal familial life alongside her husband, Torvald Helmer, and their three children. The narrative is set during Christmas time, adding a veneer of warmth and domestic bliss. However, as the layers peel away, the undercurrents of deception, control, and self-discovery come to the forefront. The play opens with Nora returning home after a Christmas shopping spree. The Helmer household is preparing for the festive season, but tensions begin to surface when Torvald chides Nora for her spending. We learn that Torvald has recently been promoted to bank manager, bringing newfound financial stability to the family. A visitor arrives—Nora's old friend, Mrs. Linde, who seeks employment from Torvald. Mrs. Linde reveals she has been widowed and left destitute, contrasting sharply with Nora's apparent domestic bliss. Another key character, Nils Krogstad, enters the scene. It’s revealed that Nora had previously borrowed money from Krogstad, forging her father's signature to secure the loan. Krogstad now seeks to use this secret to blackmail Nora into influencing Torvald to keep him employed at the bank. The second act dives deeper into Nora's internal struggles. Krogstad intensifies his threats, and the stakes rise as Torvald remains blissfully unaware of Nora’s secret. The arrival of Dr. Rank, a family friend secretly in love with Nora, adds another layer of complexity. Nora's frantic attempts to prevent Torvald from finding out lead to a dramatic confrontation with Krogstad. But Mrs. Linde intervenes, rekindling a past romantic relationship with Krogstad and persuading him to retract his threats. Yet, the letter revealing Nora’s indiscretion is already in Torvald's possession. The climax unravels in Act III when Torvald reads Krogstad's letter. Instead of understanding and supporting Nora, he berates her for jeopardizing his career. This reaction shatters Nora's illusions about her marriage, revealing Torvald’s selfishness and control. Nora realizes that she has been living in a metaphorical dollhouse, manipulated and confined by societal and marital expectations. In a groundbreaking decision, she decides to leave Torvald and her children to find her own identity and freedom, marking the play’s revolutionary stance on women's independence and self-discovery.
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Themes in the play A Doll's House |
Gender Roles and Feminism: At its core, A Doll's House critiques the rigid gender roles of the 19th century. Nora's transformation from a submissive wife to an independent woman challenges the traditional norms and highlights the need for gender equality. This theme remains relevant, offering rich discussions on feminism and societal expectations. The Illusion vs. Reality: The play contrasts appearances with reality, exposing the façade of the Helmer household. Nora's seemingly perfect life is an illusion, masking her personal struggles and the flawed foundation of her marriage. This theme invites students to explore the dichotomy between surface appearances and underlying truths. Individual vs. Society: Nora's struggle represents the conflict between individual desires and societal pressures. Her decision to leave her family defies social conventions, prompting discussions on personal freedom, societal constraints, and the courage to break free from oppressive systems. Deception and Secrets: Deception permeates the play, from Nora's forged loan to Torvald's hypocritical moral stance. The unraveling of secrets drives the plot and character development, encouraging students to examine the ethical implications of deceit and honesty.
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Activity Ideas for the play A Doll's House |
Character Analysis: Have students perform in-depth analyses of the main characters—Nora, Torvald, Krogstad, Mrs. Linde, and Dr. Rank. Discuss their motivations, relationships, and transformations throughout the play. This exercise can help students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of character development. Socratic Seminars: Conduct Socratic seminars to explore the major themes of the play. Pose open-ended questions such as:
These discussions can foster a collaborative learning environment and encourage students to articulate and defend their viewpoints. Comparative Analysis: Have students compare A Doll's House with other works that explore similar themes, such as The Awakening by Kate Chopin or The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. This approach can enhance their analytical skills and broaden their literary horizons. Research Assignments: Assign research projects on the historical and cultural context of the play. Topics might include: Research assignments can provide students with a deeper understanding of the play's significance and its impact on society.
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