Classic platy(*play) by Ibsen, considered by some to be the modern Shakespere. Written 1889, concerns repressive marriage of that era. Compares well to 1950's Amaerica, in my opinion.
A great play about a woman attempting to make it in a man's world, while all the while she is feeling doll in a doll house where the men control everything.
I root on Nora
I actually read an online version of this text provided by my teacher as part of my Introduction to Drama course, so this is not the same version I'm writing about, but is the same work. This is probably the most famous Problem Play ever written, and is a rather fun read as well. It definitely deals heavily with the position of women in society at the time, and offers a great glimpse of society in general at the time the play was written.
I had read this years ago, and forgotton how it went. Even though it was written a long time ago, some of the themes are still timely. Struggling in a marriage, guilt, trying to protect the person you love. I have read other Ibsen plays but this one always sticks in my mind. It is very short, and I give it a definite yes.
I wasn't expecting it to be in the format of a stage play, but it worked out well. Concise way of describing the scenes. I enjoyed how you slowly got to know the main character and seeing her change throughout the story into someone completely different from who she was in the beginning. It was a quick and easy read.
This three-act play was first performed in 1879. At that time, the outcome of the story would have been novel and before its time. However, today it seems dated. It was written by the very gifted Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen. If you do crossword puzzles, you are likely familiar with this writer because his plays often serve as crossword clues.
Nora loves her husband, Torvald. Years ago, when he was ill and needed to go to Italy to rest and recover, Nora borrowed the money for the trip without her husband's knowledge. This becomes a problem in this story. Torvald loves treating his wife like a doll; he enjoys escorting her around to their friends. He does not expect Nora to be able to think for herself, and when the secret comes out, Torvald becomes ugly. With sudden insight, Nora decides she has had enough.
I found it strange that Nora acceded to Torvald's cooing and treating her like an object (for his attention), only to decide she had a spine and take a stand suddenly. There wasn't enough time in the play for her to show that she was emerging from the cocoon Torvald's attention had wrapped her in.
Nora loves her husband, Torvald. Years ago, when he was ill and needed to go to Italy to rest and recover, Nora borrowed the money for the trip without her husband's knowledge. This becomes a problem in this story. Torvald loves treating his wife like a doll; he enjoys escorting her around to their friends. He does not expect Nora to be able to think for herself, and when the secret comes out, Torvald becomes ugly. With sudden insight, Nora decides she has had enough.
I found it strange that Nora acceded to Torvald's cooing and treating her like an object (for his attention), only to decide she had a spine and take a stand suddenly. There wasn't enough time in the play for her to show that she was emerging from the cocoon Torvald's attention had wrapped her in.
Considered to be the first feminist play, this 3 act play takes place at Christmas time in Nora and Torvald's home. Nora informs her old friend Christine that she took a loan from Krogstad unbeknownst to her husband in order to pay for a trip to Italy for them to save his life. Unfortunately, he is about to find out all.
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. The characters are three-dimensional and believable. The dialogue is easy to read. The setting is all in one room, which I always find fun. The ending left me a bit puzzled (by which I mean the very last few seconds), and I was a bit annoyed with Torvald in the first act. These things kept me from loving it, but I still liked it very much.
I would recommend this play to lovers of classic theater, as well as those interested in feminism and gender roles.
Check out my full review
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. The characters are three-dimensional and believable. The dialogue is easy to read. The setting is all in one room, which I always find fun. The ending left me a bit puzzled (by which I mean the very last few seconds), and I was a bit annoyed with Torvald in the first act. These things kept me from loving it, but I still liked it very much.
I would recommend this play to lovers of classic theater, as well as those interested in feminism and gender roles.
Check out my full review
