A Doll House - Study Questions Flashcards
(9 cards)
Author
Henrik Ibsen
Flashcard 1: What does the setting indicate about the social status and interests of the Helmer household?
The Helmer household is comfortably middle-class, reflecting modest affluence and conventional bourgeois values. The furnishings are tasteful but not extravagant, suggesting concern for appearances and stability. This domestic setting underscores the Helmers’ concern with respectability and social status, which is central to the play’s conflict.
Flashcard 2: In what respects is A Doll’s House a “well-made play”?
A Doll’s House follows the structure of a “well-made play” with a clear exposition, rising tension, a climax (Krogstad’s letter), and a resolution. Secrets are gradually revealed, and the plot is driven by cause-and-effect logic. However, Ibsen subverts the traditional happy ending, shocking audiences by having Nora leave her family, defying expectations.
Flashcard 3: What role is Nora playing?
Nora plays the role of the dutiful wife and mother, behaving in a childish, flirtatious manner to appease her husband. She hides her intelligence and independence, pretending to be helpless and frivolous. This performance mirrors the way society expects women to behave—obedient, decorative, and subordinate.
Flashcard 4: In what respects is Mrs. Linde a foil to Nora?
Mrs. Linde is Nora’s opposite in many ways: practical, self-reliant, and honest about her circumstances. While Nora has lived a sheltered life dependent on others, Mrs. Linde has endured hardship and taken responsibility for her own survival. Her presence highlights Nora’s immaturity and sets an example of female independence.
Flashcard 5: In what ways does Krogstad embody the stereotypical attributes of the villain? How are these subverted?
Krogstad initially appears as a blackmailer and social outcast, fitting the mold of a melodramatic villain. However, Ibsen complicates his character by revealing his desperation and capacity for redemption through his relationship with Mrs. Linde. He’s not purely evil, but rather a victim of the same rigid social systems that constrain Nora.
Flashcard 6: What is the function of Dr. Rank?
Dr. Rank serves as a confidant and a symbol of moral decay within the respectable facade of society. His terminal illness, inherited from his father’s sins, echoes the theme of generational consequences. His unspoken love for Nora also adds emotional depth and underscores her isolation.
Flashcard 7: Why does Nora believe that she must leave her children?
Nora believes she must leave to discover who she is outside of her roles as wife and mother. She fears she is morally unfit to raise her children without first educating herself. Her departure is an act of self-liberation, prioritizing personal growth over traditional maternal duty.
Flashcard 8: Is the ending positive or negative? How does it confound audience expectations of the ending of a “well-made play”?
The ending is ambiguous—tragic in that Nora leaves her family, but empowering as she takes control of her own life. It defies the expected reconciliation of a “well-made play,” instead leaving the conflict unresolved. Ibsen challenges social norms and forces the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about gender and identity.
