Research Project - Henrik Ibsen

A Doll's House Research by Emily and I:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zEinscfQ2xggDOZjGIXm4anm_eTIx8kX74HytzzyL9g/edit?hl=en&authkey=CM2FuOMC

Class Notes:

• One of his greatest plays.
• 3 distinct stages - romantic tools to make irony (satiric, mock), social affairs (realism) and symbolism
• Middle class is a representation of the middle section of society, this is able to portray the real world.
• The perspective of Ibsen through his childhood, present through the themes of misfortune - financial and sickness in a family, which relate to the themes of financial difficulties in his childhood experience.
• Descended from prominent Norwegian families.
• Ibsen's relationship with his father was strained, not as intimate as him with mother.
• Failure is a predominant theme.
•  He wrote 26 plays.
• Feminist theory.
• Marxist theory, class struggle, human behaviours.
• Psychoanalytic theory, trace behaviours.
• Ibsen - a moralist, commited his ethics, at odds with  conventional values (courage, bravery)
• Hints of nationalism.
• A Doll's House caused controversy.
• Demonstrates courage, they do not give in to common views of society.
• Ibsen was the leading voices that caused changes to feminism in society back then.
• He wrote with a biological influences.
• Feminist perspectives
• Liberation of individual
• Urban middle class society, education and importance of a job easing financial difficulties.
• Relationship people have with money. For a man, personal success is dependent on financial success.
• Individuality freedom - self determination
• Initially, Nora is blinded and can not see clearly. However the experience she has before the play of her forging signatures.
• One critic believed that the play was ‘founded on the believe...that women can and be raised to the dignity of man.’ 
• Ibsen was forced to leave school at the age 15.
• Character Dr. Rank illusion of death and life (conflicting images) and Nora starting a new independent life.
• Culture of Norway 1879, roles of family is completely isolated - husband works in 'study' whereas wife is not allowed in.
• Symbolic battle between two classes, individuality - what Nora is fighting for her own independency and her status in the family, she fears of upsetting her husband. Internal conflicts, 19 century society has construct the individuals. 
• Society has controlled our views, our perspectives - Nora, Torvald.
• Nora provides hope in the play - transformation, escape.
• Mrs Linde and Krogstad are also transformed by society.
• Initially, Nora is blinded but then she gains sight.
• Status in society, female liberation (liberation of individual).