A Doll’s Houseby Herik Ibsen

I. Introduction

A. Ibsen’s Style

B. Lies and Truth

II. Major Themes

A. Living the authentic life vs. the convenient life(—Archetypal/Mythic)

B. Men and Women—equality, respect, and the true marriage (Feminist)

A. Living the authentic life vs. the convenient life(—Archetypal/Mythic)

B. Men and Women—equality, respect, and the true marriage (Feminist)

II. Major Themes (con’t.)

C. Money (Marxist theory)

D. Duty to others vs Duty to Self:

II. Major Themes (con’t.)

E. Moral Theme1. Contagion imagery

2. Sins of the parents

3. True sins of the parents

II. Major Themes (con’t)

F. Search for Identity (Psychological)

II. Major Themes (con’t)

G. Archetypal/Mythic Theme1. The search for truth (Oedipus)

2. The leaving of the

family for

enlightenment

(see handout)

III. Characters

A. Nora

B. Torvald

III. Characters

C. Mrs. Linde

D. Nils Krogstad

C. Dr. Rank

IV. Symbolism

A. Setting

1. Helmers’ House

2. Christmas time

B. forgery

IV. Symbolism

C. The Tarantela

D. The dress (costume)

E. Animal / pet imagery

F. Light and dark

V. Conclusion

A. The Continuing Power of A Doll’s House

1. issues of respect

2. that miraculous thing: a True Marriage

3. gender issues

4. the birth of the soul—growth of consciousness