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Overview
Synopsis
Ibsen's A Doll's House is a revolutionary classic. The play was integral in establishing realism as a theatrical form, and continues to be a provocative portrayal of a woman suffering in a man's world. Nora and Torvald Helmer have a seemingly traditional, settled nineteenth-century marriage. Torvald adores his wife, although he patronizes her and belittles her comprehension of the world. However, Nora has lived with a secret for several years. She forged her father’s signature in order to borrow money to take her husband to Italy for recuperation after an illness. Her husband, Torvald, is now in a senior position working at the bank and Nora has been paying off the loan in installments. Yet her secret is about to be revealed when Torvald threatens to fire Nils Krogstad, the man Nora borrowed the money from. Nora’s friend, Kristine Linde, offers to help Nora, revealing that she and Krogstad used to be in a relationship and she still loves him deeply. However, when Krogstad reveals Nora’s actions in a letter, Torvald dismisses her sacrifice, worrying only about his own reputation. Although Torvald forgives his wife when he discovers that Krogstad will not publicly reveal her indiscretion, Nora realizes that Torvald does not value or truly know her as an individual. Nora decides to leave her husband and her children in an attempt to discover herself.
Show Information
- Book
- Henrik Ibsen
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1879
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set, Period
- Time & Place
- norway, nineteenth-century
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Child, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
In 1872, Laura Kieler (then unmarried) visited Henrik Ibsen and his wife. They had become acquaintances years earlier after the young woman wrote Brand’s Daughters, Kieler’s response to Ibsen’s 1866 play Brand. She showed promise as a young novelist, and the Ibsens encouraged her endeavors. A year later, Laura married Victor Kieler, and they soon started a family. This marriage and Laura’s actions became the inspiration for Nora Helmer and A Doll’s House. Like Nora, Laura secretly borrowed
to read the context for A Doll's House and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
ACT ONE
It is Christmastime, and Nora Helmer enters her sitting room, carrying packages and telling the deliveryman where to place the Christmas tree. Her husband Torvald Helmer, working in his study, calls out to her, playful referring to Nora as a “lark” and “little squirrel.” More importantly, he chides her for spending so much money on Christmas gifts, but Nora is determined to have a beautiful holiday for their children. Because Torvald was recently promoted at the bank, she believes
to read the plot for A Doll's House and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A public definition of beliefs, intentions, and aims.
A movement in European drama and theatre that developed in the late 19th that seeks to mirror life completely truthfully.
A theatrical movement developed alongside naturalism, which aimed to be more truthful to real life through texts and performances.
The idea that everything that happens in nature is determined completely by previously existing causes.
The theory that all drama must follow the three unities set out by the Greek philosopher Aristotle: action, place, and time.
The truthful and believable representation of reality within a theatrical form.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher