A DOLL'S HOUSE

A Doll's House



A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen

Introduction

A Doll's House is written by Henrik Ibsen. It is a three-act play in Norwegian. It was premiered at the Royal Theatre in Denmark on 21st December 1879. The author himself was a playwright, theatre director and a poet. He is considered as the founder of modern theatre. His plays faced a lot of criticisms in 19th century because strict modes of family life were followed (Dragonfly, 2011).

The play was based on real life of Ibsen's friend Laura Kieler. She was given the character of Nora in the novel except the forged signature from the father for taking up the loan. Laura was divorced when her husband Victor found about the secret loan. She was sent to asylum but returned after two years at his request. She later became a popular Danish author. Nora left her husband Torvald in the play beginning to face uncertain future and limitations on women in society (Dragonfly, 2011).

He wrote this play when Laura went to asylum and asked for help which he denied. He wrote the play and made Laura recognize like Ibsen's Nora. Ibsen used to consider women as human beings and did not distinguish between women's rights and human rights. He focused on human rights in the play according to his view. He held the view that men and women both should possess the courage to take a stand against the society and should stand for their own opinions. He believed that each person has a sacred duty to perform. If this view is observed in the play, this can be analyzed that Nora was a submissive wife. Torvald was a controlling husband, both programmed accordingly as per the society's requirements.

Background

This play critically displays the roles of men and women ...