Show:
Time Period
Literature
Quotes
Themes
CLASS- YOUR TURN
100
The time period or date in which ,"A Doll's House," by Henrik Ibsen was written.
What is December 1879
100
"It was presumably after becoming acquainted with the Norwegian feminist writer Camilla Colllett in 1871 that Ibsen became deeply concerned with issues pertaining to man-woman relationships in contemporary society" referring to which one of Ibsen's works?
What is Notes for the Tragedy of Modern Time
100
"A Doll's House was enthusiastically welcomed by feminist thinkers in Norway and throughout Europe" and states that "in closing the door on her husband and children, Nora opened the way to the turn of the century women's movement" was said by who?
Who is Gail Finney
100
The play of A Doll's House centers on the dissolution of a marriage that doesn't meet these standards. At first the Helmers seem happy, but, over the course of the play, the imbalance between them becomes more and more clear. By the end, the marriage breaks apart due to a complete lack of understanding between them. Together in wedlock, the two are incapable of realizing who they are as individuals. This is an example of which theme?
What is the theme of a disillusioned marriage put in place by expectations of society onto Nora and Torvald.
100
Torvald was furious that Nora had borrowed money a long time ago. He feared that this would completely ruin his reputation and focused all of his anger on Nora. He refused to accept the fact that a woman had taken a loan without his permission or guidance.
What is the validity of Torvald's argument and how does it relate to the themes addressed earlier?
200
The household and the family have had a central role in ________culture. For this reason women have assumed a central role in the development of our own distinctive culture. Even though women have not had equal rights nor have participated in society as equally as men, they have, however, fulfilled a role which has been more or less indispensible for that sense of fellowship and equality which is seen to be so typically _________.
What is Norwegian
200
It is important to note that repetition of certain issues or themes proves that Ibsen intended to focus on them. This study proves that Ibsen was advocating ___________and his intent was to bring about awareness. He focused on the role assigned to women by society and highlights women rebelling against those roles. A direct correlation between the ___________ of the time.
What is women's rights and the feminist movement.
200
"A sober view of human relationships is far harder for woman than for us; [..] they are more deceived by education and know less of life, and so they more often stumble and break their heads and hearts than free themselves. They are always in revolt and remain in slavery; they strive for revolution and more than anything they support the existing regime"
Who is Alexander Herzen
200
This play has often been painted as one of the modern drama's first feminist heroines. Over the course of the play, Nora breaks away from the domination of her overbearing husband, Torvald. The playwright denied that he had intentionally written a feminist play, preferring to think of it as humanist. Still, though, throughout this drama there is a constant talk to women, their traditional roles, and price for them breaking with tradition which is a theme of..
What is the theme of women and and the breakthrough of femininity as Nora leaves expectations in an attempt to find herself.
200
In the play the characters constantly battle their gender roles that society has already put in place for them. Which battle do you think is portrayed more in the novel and perhaps which one was more intentional?
(answers vary)
300
Most people today still believe the myth that the __________ was a period of a universally accepted value system; that most women lived leisurely, inactive lives, and that husbands and wives remained serenely together, both serving their separate functions in making life pleasant and meaningful.
What is the Victorian era
300
This was a time of intellectual and social turbulence and revolution in Europe; the Danish translation by Georg Brandes of John Stuart Mills The Subjection of Women had appeared in 1869 and Mill along with Ibsen described the _______ and _______ caused to men and women by the prevailing inflexible patriarchy.
What is social and moral suffering
300
"A woman cannot be herself in modern society. It's an exclusively male society, with laws made by men and with prosecutors and judges who assess feminine conduct from a masculine standpoint" was said by who this person.
Who is Henrik Ibsen
300
The men of A Doll's House are obsessed with their reputation. Some have a good standing in their communities and will do anything to get it back. Though the play is set in the living room of a private residence, the public eye is constantly peeking through the curtains. This aligns with which theme?
What is the theme of respect and reputation to be carried out by men as a result of gender roles put on place by society.
300
Out of all the themes addressed which one do you believe is the major theme overall, why?
(answers vary)
400
An analysis of women's participation in employment shows two wave-like movements. There was a strong growth in their participation up until the 1890's. From this high point there was a steady decline in women's participation in the work force until the middle of the 60's. During the depression of the 1930's with its high unemployment, the slogan was that women should "_____________."
What is "go back home"
400
It is again important to note that Ibsen did something unusual his play Hedda Gabler. He gives many _________characteristics to Hedda and many _______ traits to her husband, addressing an alternative to society's gender roles.
What is dominant and feminine
400
"Ibsen's most explicit treatment of the women question is the conflict between society's demand that Nora embrace the women's role that it has determined for her-" Before all else, you're a wife and a mother"- and her refusal in the name her own autonomy: "I believe that before all else, I am a human being." Nora does not leave the doll house to find some other role in society, but, on the contrary, to discover the self she refused in living a role," is said by this person.
Who is Joan Templeton
400
In A Doll's House the Helmers discover that true love never existed between them. Throughout the play we hear of and see many different forms of love: familial, maternal,paternal, and fraternal. Romantic love even blossoms for two of the secondary characters. However, for the main characters, the Helmers, this theme in the play is illusive.
What is the theme of true love within those who are free against expectation and false when tied to wedlock.
400
The theme of money and its control on relationships has also been mentioned when looking over Ibsen's works. Do you agree that it is a major contribution in the play and if so, why? (examples)
(answers vary)
500
In the 1800s, some wanted the preservation of society’s traditional values, some wanted reform, and some wanted a radical break with old customs and institutions. The debate over the Women question, what roles and jobs should be within society, provided a forum for every shade of opinion on faith and morality.
What is the Victorian frame of mind with assertions being met with counter-assertion.
500
This play is against the rules of society. A woman who leaves her husband becomes an outcast. Ibsen himself was once asked what he thought happened to Nora after she left and he replied that she ended up broke and desolate, dying in a back alley somewhere. Unfortunately, this was reality for real life women and became one of those _______ that Ibsen tried to bring attention to.
What is social issues
500
Henrik Ibsen said he "must disclaim the honor of having consciously worked for the women's rights movement" and he wrote it " without any conscious thought of making propaganda" his task being " the description of humanity."Which was said where?
What is the Norwegian Women's Rights League in 1898
500
The men in A Doll's House are in many ways just as trapped by traditional gender roles as the women. The men, such as Torvald, must be the providers.They must bear the burden of supporting the whole household. They must be the kings of their respective castles. By the end of the play these ideas in this theme are put to the test.
What is the theme of the obtainment of masculinity of the men within the play which are put into place by gender roles.
500
The theme of the inability to find love when wed-locked is a huge development throughout the play. Do you believe Nora was justified in leaving and where do you think she ended up?
(answers vary)