Jo Welch

3/5/24

Script Analysis

Writing Assignment #2

Isolate the given circumstances of A Doll’s House and analyze them using these categories:

1. Time: In what year and season does the action occur? What is significant about the date? Can

the passage of time during the play be determined? The time between scenes? Between acts?

The hour of day for each scene? Each act?

The action occurs in the winter of 1879. The significance of this is that it is the Victorian

era, the values of which are rebelled by Nora - who stands against the injustices inflicted upon

her gender. The play is tightly structured with 3 acts that take place over a short span of three

days. Each act contains one long scene.

2. Setting: In what country, region, city does the action occur? Are any geographical features

described? In what specific locale does the action occur? What specific climate is indicated

by the specific location?

The action occurs in Norway. The main action occurs in the Helmers home, more

specifically their living room. At this time in history Norway had a maritime climate with mild

winters and cool summers.

3. Society: What are the family relationships? Who are friends and love relationships?

What occupational groups are depicted? What social ranks are represented? What are the

social standards and the behavior expectations? Are they spoken about or implied? Are they

enforced openly or indirectly? What social group controls the social standards? What are the

rewards for conformity? What are the penalties for violating social standards?

Family relationships include: Nora is married to Torvald and they have three young

children. Friend relationships include: Dr rank is their family friend, and Mrs. Linde is an old

friend of Nora’s. Love relationships include: Dr. Rank loves Nora, Torvald loves Nora, Nora falls

out of love with Torvald, and Mrs. Linde and Krogstad love each other. Jobs include: Torvald is a

bank manager. Mrs. Linde took up many jobs such as needle work to support her and her mother.

Krogstad was fired from a small post at the bank and spends the length of the play fighting to get

it back. Dr. Rank is a doctor. Social ranks are represented by the class system. The Helmer’s are

upper class. In regards to social standards, for men sex was central, and for women reproduction

was central. Men were independent, while women were dependent. Men belonged in the public

sphere, while women belonged in the private sphere. Men were meant to participate in politics

and in paid work, while women were meant to run households, raise families, and serve their

husbands.

4. Economics: What is the general economic system in the play? Any specific examples of

business activities or transactions? Does money exercise any control over the characters?

Who controls the economic circumstances? How do they exert control? What are the rewards

for economic success? Are there penalties for violating the economic standards?
 The world of the play exists in a capitalist society. As for business transactions, Nora

took out a loan to pay for the trip to Italy she attributes to saving her husband's life. Money

symbolizes the power that the characters have over one another in the play. In the first scene,

Torvald's ability to dictate how much Nora spends on Christmas presents shows his power over

her. Meanwhile, the debt that Nora owes Krogstad allows him to have power over her and

Torvald.

5. Politics and Law Enforcement: What is the system of government that serves as the

background for the play? Any specific examples of political or legal activities, actions, or

ceremonies? Do politics or law exercise any control over the characters? Who controls the

political and legal circumstances of the play? How do they exert control? What are the

rewards for political and legal obedience? The penalties for violating the political and legal

Standards?

The government system in the world of the play is historically democracy. Norway had

little means of governing itself in 1800 as it was part of the Danish realm and ruled from

Denmark. This changed in 1807 when the outbreak of war made communication with

Copenhagen difficult and a domestic governing body was appointed. Illegal activities in the play

include: forgery (Nora forging her father’s signature on the loan shortly after his death).

6. Religion: What is the accepted code of religious or spiritual belief? Any examples of

religious or spiritual activities or ceremonies? Does spirituality exercise any control over the

characters? Who controls the spiritual circumstances of the play? How do they exert their

control? What are the rewards for spiritual conformity? What are the penalties for violating
the spiritual standards?

The accepted belief of the characters in the play is Christianity. The characters celebrate

Christmas, after all. At the end of play, Torvald asks Nora if she “lost her faith.”

7. The World of the Play: This is the distinctive universe created by the collective given

circumstances. How does the world of the play influence the conduct and attitude of the

characters? What are the different opinions expressed by the characters toward their world?

The world of the play affects the characters attitude toward money, which, in turn, affects

how they treat each other. Torvald is overly concerned with his place and status in society, and he

allows his emotions to be swayed heavily by the prospect of society’s respect and the fear of

society’s scorn. Mrs. Linde is a practical, down-to-earth woman, and her sensible worldview

highlights Nora’s childlike outlook on life.