Who Said It?
(to Whom, & Why?)
A Doll's House Notes
Victorian Age Notes
Plotting Along
Thematic Schematics
100
"Without work I couldn’t live. All my life I have worked, for as long as I can remember; that has always been my one great joy. But now I’m completely alone in the world, and feeling horribly empty and forlorn. There’s no pleasure in working only for yourself. Nils, give me somebody and something to work for."
Who is Mrs. Linde to Krogstad in Act III. She is asking for him to consider a romantic relationship again with her.
100
This is the year in which A Doll's House was published.
What is 1879?
100
Any group of people subject to a ruling power based on a relationship of an "us" and "other."
What is a colony?
100
This is the time of year at which A Doll's House takes place.
When is Christmas/New Year's?
100
This theme focuses on the way women are seen, especially in the context of marriage and motherhood.
What is the theme of Victorian women vs. men?
200
"I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you wanted it like that. You and father have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life. Our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was father's doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls."
Who is Nora to Torvald in the final scene of the play?
200
A type of play which involves a tight plot with a climax that takes place at the end of the story. Most of the action takes place before the story begins. Reversal of fate occurs st the end.
What is the Well-Made Play?
200
The Victorian concept of an ideal woman as a household saint, ruler of the "private sphere" of the home. Woman is a beacon of light in a dark world.
What is The Angel in the House?
200
This is a crime that both Nora and Krogstad have committed in the past.
What is forgery?
200
This theme is shown when Torvald calls Nora "my little songbird," "my little squirrel," and "my child."
What is Torvald's image of women?
300
"From now on, forget happiness. Now it’s just about saving the remains, the wreckage, the appearance."
Who is Torvald, when he learns from Krogstad's letter about Nora's forgery.
300
In the 1880's, Ibsen was forced to alter the ending, which resulted in Ibsen calling the new version "a barbaric outrage." This occurred in which country?
Where is Germany?
300
Part of women's Victorian fashion that helped exaggerate the "hourglass figure," and promoted the idea that women were prone to fainting.
What is the corset?
300
This is the dance that Nora uses to try to distract Torvald from reading his letters. It's an outward display of her inner distress.
What is the tarantella?
300
At the beginning of the play, Torvald and Nora seem to have a happy relationship, although there are hints of deception when Nora sneaks macaroons. Which theme is shown here?
What is the theme of appearances vs. reality?
400
"At the next fancy-dress ball I shall be invisible. There is a big black hat - have you never heard of hats that make you invisible? If you put one on, no one can see you."
Who is Doctor Rank, to Nora after the ball. He is telling her that by the next dress ball, he will be dead.
400
Ibsen's play was notable because he exchanged the last act's denouement with this.
What is the audience's discussion of what occurs after Nora leaves?
400
In 1870, the Married Women's Property Act finally allowed wives to gain control of this.
What is their personal property and income?
400
This is the symbol Dr. Rank uses as code to Nora that he will shut himself in and die in peace.
What is a postcard with a black cross over his name?
400
This theme shows how Torvald sees money and materialism as a way to avoid the complication of personal contact.
What is materialism vs. people?
500
"You can’t frighten me! A precious little pampered thing like you…"
Who is Krogstad to Nora in Act II, while blackmailing her.
500
A modern movement in drama that focuses on natural speech, human psychology, everyday situation, and the stage as an naturalistic environment rather than a platform for melodramatic acting.
What is realism?
500
Although England gave women the right to vote in 1918, this voting was only available to women over what age?
What is 30?
500
This is the "miracle" or "wonderful thing" that Torvald fails to demonstrate for his wife.
What is that he fails to take the blame for the forgery and "rescue" her from danger when it mattered?
500
This theme is used to represent Nora's personal journey i.e. candles, lamps, Dr. Rank's cigar etc.
What is the theme/symbol of light?
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