4. Feminism:
Defends and advocates equal political,
economic,cultural and social rights for
women.
Attacks on gender inequality and
marginalization of women.
5. Ibsen’s known social commentary :
Brand (1866)
Peer Gynt (1867)
The Emperor and the Galilean (1873 )
Pillars of Society (1877)
A Doll House (1879)
6. Overview of the story
This is the story of Nora Helmer, an upper
middle class woman, who is married and
has three children. Her husband, Torvald
Helmer,has just got a job as bank manager
that will start after Christmas.
As was typical Nora does not work and
stays at home. The Helmers have a maid
(Helene), and a nanny, Anne-Marie, who
cares for the three children.
7. Cont…
Dr. Rank is a good friend of Torvald who
visits the Helmers daily.
Mrs. Linde is a friend of Nora and ex-
girlfriend of Krogstad.
Krogstad is a clerk in the local bank where
Helmer would be an officer.
8. As the play opens…
It is just before Christmas and all seems well in the
Helmer household.
An old friend of Nora’s, Kristine Linde, appears at her
door.
It is soon revealed that Nora has a big secret she has
been keeping from her husband.
Nora is not allowed to -
Spend money
Take any decision
Eat sweets
9. • Helmer regards women rather like children who are helpless
who need protection from the harsh realities of life; men are
independent and the guardians of poor women.
• Nora is called many names throughout the play, 'little
songbird.' 'little skylark,' 'little person,' 'squirrel.' 'lark,' 'little
featherhead.' 'little woman,' 'little rogue,' 'helpless little
mortal,' 'child.' 'charming little darling,' 'my frightened little
singing bird,' 'miserable creature,' 'thoughtless woman,'
'blind foolish woman,' 'a heedless child,' - all indicating a
lack of equality and respect for Nora's personage.
10. Nora forged bank documents to get a loan for
Helmer’s medical treatment.
Nora secretly repaying the debt.
Krogstad knows this but keeps mum.
Krogstad is to be fired by Helmer.
He blackmails Nora to stop Helmer or he would
reveal her crime to Helmer.
It would harm the status of Helmer.
11. Helmer send the maid to deliver Krogstad’s
letter of dismissal.
Angry Krogstad puts a letter detailing Nora’s
debt and forgery in Helmer’s letterbox.
Tense Nora shares this problem with
Mrs.Linde.
12. Mrs.Linde persuades Krogstad successfully.
Helmer reads Krogstad’s letter and is very angry.
He calls Nora a hypocrite, a liar and an immoral
person.
He would not save Nora from the imprisonment for
forgery.
13. Turning Point……
The maid brings a letter by Krogstad
promising not to reveal Nora’s forgery.
Krogstad returns the forged document.
Helmer suddenly changes………
He makes a drama of loving and caring
Nora……promising again to protect her.
14. Nora’s Revolt
Nora, frustrated and disillusioned, learns the
hypocrisy and hollow morality of Helmer.
She decides to end the relationship.
She demands true freedom and individuality.
Throws the engagement ring and leaves the
doll’s house forever…..
15. The protagonist’s identity broadens: Nora is a
woman and “first and foremost a human being.”
Emphasis on individuality:
A universal subject:Voice for the repressed, the
unheard and the marginalized.
the fixed roles—
the function as a
daughter, a wife, a
mother, a doll
An individual with
independent mind—
Nora
