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A DOLL’S HOUSE
-Henrik Ibsen

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Henrik Johan Ibsen, 20th March 1828 – 23

May 1906) was a Norwegian playwright and
theatre director. As one of the founders of
modernism in theatre, Ibsen is often referred
to as "the father of realism" and one of the
most influential playwrights of his time.

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About the Play A Doll’s House:

In A Doll's House, Ibsen portrays a
stereotypically gendered household
with Torvald and Nora Helmer and
then shows how characters—both
male and female—suffer because of
the roles society expects them to play.
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Characters in the play:

1) Nora: The protagonist of the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer.
2) Torvald Helmer: Nora’s husband
3) Krogstad: A lawyer who went to school with Torvald
4) Mrs. Linde: Nora’s childhood friend
5) Dr. Rank: Torvald’s best friend
6) Bob, Emmy, and Ivar: Nora and Torvald’s three small children
7) Anne-Marie: The Helmers’ nanny
8) Nora’s father: Though Nora’s father is dead before the action of the
play begins

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Nora
The protagonist of the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer. Nora
initially seems like a playful, naïve child who lacks knowledge of
the world outside her home. She does have some worldly
experience, however, and the small acts of rebellion in which she
engages indicate that she is not as innocent or happy as she
appears. She comes to see her position in her marriage with
increasing clarity and finds the strength to free herself from her
oppressive situation.

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Torvald Helmer
Nora’s husband. Torvald delights in his new position at the bank,
just as he delights in his position of authority as a husband. He
treats Nora like a child, in a manner that is both kind and
patronizing. He does not view Nora as an equal but rather as a
plaything or doll to be teased and admired. In general, 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.

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Krogstad
A lawyer who went to school with Torvald and holds a subordinate
position at Torvald’s bank. Krogstad’s character is contradictory:
though his bad deeds seem to stem from a desire to protect his
children from scorn, he is perfectly willing to use unethical tactics
to achieve his goals. His willingness to allow Nora to suffer is
despicable, but his claims to feel sympathy for her and the hard
circumstances of his own life compel us to sympathize with him to
some degree.

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Mrs. Linde
Nora’s childhood friend. Kristine Linde is a practical, down-to-
earth woman, and her sensible worldview highlights Nora’s
somewhat childlike outlook on life. Mrs. Linde’s account of her life
of poverty underscores the privileged nature of the life that Nora
leads. Also, we learn that Mrs. Linde took responsibility for her
sick parent, whereas Nora abandoned her father when he was ill.

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Dr. Rank
Torvald’s best friend. Dr. Rank stands out as the one character in
the play who is by and large unconcerned with what others think
of him. He is also notable for his stoic acceptance of his fate. Unlike
Torvald and Nora, Dr. Rank admits to the diseased nature (literally,
in his case) of his life. For the most part, he avoids talking to
Torvald about his imminent death out of respect for Torvald’s
distaste for ugliness.

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Bob, Emmy, and Ivar

Nora and Torvald’s three small children. In her brief interaction
with her children, Nora shows herself to be a loving mother. When
she later refuses to spend time with her children because she fears
she may morally corrupt them, Nora acts on her belief that
the quality of parenting strongly influences a child’s development.

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Anne-Marie
The Helmers’ nanny. Though Ibsen doesn’t fully develop her
character, Anne-Marie seems to be a kindly woman who has
genuine affection for Nora. She had to give up her own daughter in
order to take the nursing job offered by Nora’s father. Thus, she
shares with Nora and Mrs. Linde the act of sacrificing her own
happiness out of economic necessity.

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Nora’s father
Though Nora’s father is dead before the action of the play begins,
the characters refer to him throughout the play. Though she clearly
loves and admires her father, Nora also comes to blame him for
contributing to her subservient position in life.

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THANK
YOU!
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