THA 1011

Acting: The Script

Given Circumstances & The World of the Play
Written Assignment
DUE: Monday January 28th (include all your names!!)

Working in groups of 3, you will collaborate as a team to establish and articulate in writing the
given circumstances of Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Dolls’ House.”

The group will hand in ONE copy of the assignment, but I highly encourage everyone to look at
the assignment before it is handed in – three eyes on it will catch typos/spelling errors,
grammar mistakes, and possibly add a fresh perspective to the paper

You do not need to write this assignment in essay format. I am completely fine with point form,
however, do not be afraid to elaborate on an answer where necessary. Read the entire
assignment carefully as I will articulate how certain areas should be presented. Some answers
might be longer than others. Use common sense. You might have to do a little research. You
might have to use a bit of imagination too. 

Based on our classroom discussion, please answer the following questions:

PART I – TIME & PLACE

TIME:
1) Discuss the time in which the action of the play was set. This specifically refers to:
a. the time of day
b. the time of year (month, season)
c. the year in which it takes place
d. the era (remember this refers to a period of time in history or a person’s life,
typically marked by notable events or particular characteristics). Examples
include: Elizabethan England, the Victorian era, The Swingin’ Sixties, Post 9/11

2) What is the ‘dramatic time’ of the play? I.e. the time that passes during the play’s course
of action.

*Make sure to specify any time changes within each Act as well as how much time passes
between Act intervals.

PLACE:
1) What is the play’s general locale? (referring to country, region, district, city, town, etc)
2) What is the play’s specific locale? (refers to the specific place(s) the action of the play
takes place in front of the audience; locales where characters engage in dialogue). Be
sure to describe it in as much detail as you can.
PART II – SOCIETY:

1) Order the characters the play based on their social rank (this is where they stand in
relation to other’s in society). Discuss how you made this decision.

2) Discuss any social standards in the play. What are the accepted social norms? What are
the codes of conduct and shared beliefs regarded as necessary by the characters, and to
which they are expected to conform.

PART III – Systems that Define the World of the Play

1) Go through the play and identify specific lines of text that comment on the following:

a) Economics
b) Politics & Law
c) Learning and Culture
d) Religion and Spirituality

Quote the line of text. The character who speaks the line. Include the Act and page
number.

2) Explain what this line says about the system it corresponds to in the world of “A Doll’s
House.” For example:

Economics
i) “Well, you know, we can’t afford to be extravagant.” – Torvald (Act 1, p. 24)
The family is not in a financial position to be spending a lot money.

*I want you to find three examples for each ‘System.’

By the end of the assignment, you should have a strong overall picture for what the World of
the Play looks like. I am asking you to do a close reading of the text. How you approach the
assignment and/or divide up the work is up to your group! Have fun!!