Theater: Production, Audience, and Playwright

Theater Production Elements

• Production includes designers, technicians, dancers, musicians, and other collaborators
• All involved work together on the script, scenario, or plan
• The work is in progress at this stage

The Product

• The final product results from all involved labors
• It completes the script, scenario, and plan
• Collaborators work in union to create the final product
• The audience witnesses the final product in the theater

The Audience in Theater

• Theater requires an audience
• A public audience is essential for the arts
• The physical presence of an audience can change a performance
• Audience presence can inspire actors and create expectations
• Theater is a living, breathing art form
• Live actors in front of live audiences distinguish it from modern films and television

The Playwright

• The playwright is responsible for the starting point of the theatrical event
• The playwright is the initial creator of the script, scenario, or plan
• Playwrights work in literature, writing, and producing plays for the theater

Henrik Ibsen's Early Life and Background

• Henrik Ibsen was born on March 20, 1828, in Skien, a small coastal town in Southern Norway
• Ibsen's father, once a prosperous merchant, declared bankruptcy in 1836
• The family moved to a small farm north of Skien and lived in poverty
• Young Henrik attended a small local school with poor children, receiving an inferior education
• In 1843, the family returned to town maintaining a humiliating poverty
• In 1844, he left home to become a druggist's apprentice in Grimstad
• Ibsen only visited his family once after that, in 1852
• His early life of poverty left a mark, causing him to be resentful, stubborn, rebellious, aloof, and unsociable

Henrik Ibsen - The Father of Modern Drama

• Henrik Ibsen is a Norwegian playwright often considered the father of modern drama
• His groundbreaking works, including A Doll's House, challenged societal norms
• His plays explored themes of gender roles, marriage, and societal expectations

Historical Context of Ibsen's Life - 19th-Century Norway

• Ibsen lived in Norway during a time of significant social and political change
• Norway transitioned from a rural, agrarian society to an industrialized and urbanized one.
• This shift led to increased social mobility and a growing middle class
• The middle class demanded greater political and social rights

Women's Rights Movement

• The 19th century was the rise of the women's rights movement
• Women advocating for greater equality in education, work, and political involvement
• Ibsen's plays, like A Doll's House, reflected and contributed to awareness of women's issues

Social Context of Ibsen's Work

• Norwegian society in the 19th century was deeply patriarchal
• Men held the dominant position in families and society
• Women were expected to conform to traditional gender roles as wives and mothers
• Marriage provided economic security and status and was often seen as a necessity for women
• Within marriage, women were expected to sacrifice their desires and ambitions for the sake of their families
• Social expectations were for women to be submissive, obedient, and devoted to their husbands
• Women were not allowed to pursue careers or higher education
• Their primary role was to manage the household and raise children

Ibsen's Dramatic Career Overview

• Total dramatic output can be divided into three parts

Romantic Period (1850-1873)

• Notable works include verse dramas "Brand" (1866) and "Peer Gynt" (1867)
• These represented transition due to moral denouncements
• Other plays from this period: Love's Comedy (1862), Lady Inger of Ostraat (1855), and The Vikings of Helgeland (1858)
• This period concludes with Emperor and Galilean (1873)

Realistic Period (1877-1890)

• Play series involving social problems launched with Pillars of Society (1877)
• Other plays: A Doll's House (1879) and Ghosts (1881), The Lady from the Seas (1888) and Hedda Gabler (1890)
• Problem issues are showcased through realistic characters and simple plots
• Symbolism lacking

Symbolist Period (1892-1899)

• The four plays in this period depict defeat
• The Master Builder (1892) focuses on an aging architect who renounces love
• John Gabriel Borkman (1896) presents on a financier sacrificing love.
• When We Dead Awaken (1899) defends the individual against conditions detracting from freedom and happiness

Ibsen and the Problem Play

• Ibsen is credited with originating and developing the problem play
• "Problem play" refers to dramas emphasizing a social or psychological problem
• Focus through realistic characters and simple plots

A Doll's House Context

• A Doll's House is the second of Ibsen's great realistic social dramas
• It addresses the position of women in marriage and society

Prevailing Opinions of Marriage (Ibsen's Day)

• Wives were seen as more of a servant than a helper in the home
• They could only influence policies or make decisions indirectly through their husbands.
• Were expected to look up to their husbands as ideal-makers
• Wives were to follow their husband's lead and will
• Were often decorative members of the household cherished by their husbands without sharing troubles

Character Traits within Marriage

• Romanticizing and lying characterize Nora
• Deep equality share can be achieved through tricks and dreams

Themes in A Doll's House

• Gender Roles: Challenges traditional gender roles through Nora Helmer
• Marriage and Love: Explores the complexities of Nora and Torvald
• Social Criticism: Criticizes the hypocrisy of Victorian society and women's rights

A Doll's House Additional Information

• Henrik Ibsen wrote A Doll's House
• A Doll's House is a play
• The original language is Norwegian
• It was written in Rome, Italy in 1879
• Portrays marriage and gender roles

About the Play A Doll's House

• Nora Helmer leaves her husband of eight years to find herself
• The play is written in prose and is known as a landmark in realism

Characters of the Play: Nora Helmer

• Main character, married to Torvald Helmer
• Initially depicted as playful and childlike
• Possesses some experience and rebellion

Characters of the Play: Torvald Helmer

• Nora's husband
• Proud of his role at the bank and authority over his wife
• Treats Nora like a child but is also kind and patronizing
• Places emphasis on social status

Characters of the Play: Krogstad

• Lawyer who attended school with Torvald
• Holds an inferior position at the bank
• Is contradictory exhibiting a wanting to protect his children, but using seedy tactics to to get what he wants

Characters of the Play: Kristine Linde/Mrs. Linde

• Friend of Nora’s since childhood
• Depicted as a reasonable, capable person with qualities that counteract Nora's childish outlook
• Recalls her life in poverty, highlighting Nora's privileged life
• Unlike Nora, Kristine gave up part of her life to care for an ailing parent

Characters of the Play: Dr. Rank

• Shows no apparent interest in what others think of him
• Best friend to Torvald
• Aware of his life ending
• Admits the downfalls of his own life
• Knows Torvald dislikes uncomfortable topics and so doesn't speak much of his illness with him

Characters of the Play: Bob, Emmy, and Ivar

• Nora and Torvald's children
• Nora presents herself as a loving mother
• Later refuses to spend time with the children

Characters of the Play: Anne Marie

• Nanny to the three Helmer children
• Depicted as a kind hearted woman
• Admits admiration for the lady of the house
• Had to give up her own daughter for financial purposes

A Doll's House - Shocking Audience

• Shocked audiences when first shown in 1879
• Its portrayal of the heroine Nora is viewed as one of the most striking dramatic depictions of women in the 19th century
• Play structure includes meticulous planning and logical construction that was favorable to the protagonist
• Showcases real human relationships and depth

Summary Act 1

• The play is in three acts by Henrik Ibsen, which takes place entirely within the home of the Helmer family
• Torvald Helmer lawyer and father, has just received a promotion to work at a bank
• His wife is excited because she thinks it will relieve financial money problems they have had in the past
• They have three young children, who are looked after by a nanny
• Torvald treats his wife like a child and often talks as though her does not understand money and work
• Act one takes place during the Christmas season, during which the family is planning parties and often decorating

A Doll's House: Act One Details

• Act One occurs in the Helmer living room during Christmas in the 1800s
• Torvald is a lawyer and Nora's husband, they have 3 children
• They employ a nurse, Anne-Marie, and a housemaid
• The act opens with the couple discussing money and Christmas
• Nora is excited for Torvald's promotion and chastised by him for always wanting money
• Torvald calls Nora pet names referring to birds
• Mrs. Linde arrives, an old friend of Nora's, who describes needing to support her family after her husband's death three years prior
• Nora says Torvald is now a bank manager, hoping Kristine can get a job
• Nora says Torvald had become sick and received suggestion to travel South by the doctor who treated him for his illness
• Nora secretly took out a loan to pay for it, which is being been paid back ever since (copying documents/sewing)
• Dr. Rank meets Mrs. Linde before Nora suggests to Torvald that Kristine could get a job
• After Kristine and Dr. Rank leave, Krogstad will be working for the bank
• Krogstad says Nora's father's signature was dated three days after his death for him to agree to give her the loan
• Nora forged her father's signature meaning she is threatened by Krogstad for committing fraud

Summary Act 2

• Nora and Mrs. Linde discuss Dr. Rank
• Torvald decides to Fire Krogstad and to hire Mrs. Linde, which will upset Krogstad
• Nora learns this and attempts to convince her husband otherwise
• Nora attempts to pay what she owes Krogstad, but he is more interested in respect than money
• Krogstad wants a better job
• Krogstad is going to leave a letter for Torvald explaining what Nora has done.
• Nora is going to ask Kristine if she can talk to Krogstad about retrieving his letter and distract her husband with practice dancing tarantella

Doll's House Act 2

• Kristine helps Nora fix her costume for the party
• Kristine suspects Dr. Rank gave Nora money, and Nora explains that he's a good friend
• Nora attempts to stop Torvald from firing Krogstad, but he refuses
• Torvald gives the maid Krogstad's dismissal letter
• Rank tells Nora that he has always loved her
• Nora does not ask him for money, and then asks rank to speak to Torvald

Doll's House: Act 2

• Krogstad says that there is no point in giving money to him
• Krogstad tells of a new position that creates a higher position for himself
• Dropping letter is for Torvald
• Nora tries distract Torvald from his decision to fire Krogstad
• Dr. Rank distracts on piano
• Kristine does not return - Kristine wrote a note that Krogstad will not return
• Nora - 31 hours to figure out what to do

Act 3 (Overall)

• Mrs. Linde and Krogstad have a relationship and now are interested in being back together, which Mrs. Linde facilitates
• Krogstad needs to let the letter fall through so that Torvald finds out about it
• Kristin returns to tell Nora that Krogstad will not let this fall through
• Torvald joins, then Dr. Rank. He leaves a card with a symbol that implies that he will lock himself in and die
• Torvald learns the news and says they need some a big conversation. They need to sit down and have a serious conversation
• A new letter comes-
• It has a contract saying they are off the hook
• Torvald still disappointed - Nora is going to leave and is disappointed with her life

Act 3 - Ending

• Kristine says that she had broken off because of money - and the fact he still loves her
• Kristine decides she should let her husband know the truth
• Kristine may rejoin with Krogstad and raise his children
• Nora should stay - and Nora feels the need to tell her husband about the loan, and Dr. Rank dies here.
• Nora won't let him save her - blaming her father
• Ruined - so new letter from Krotstad

Act 3 Torvald Reads Notes and Gets Upset

• Krogstad - says he is sorry and returns note
• Saved the wife =more guidance then told now sit down and we will have serious talk = Nora realizes nothing been had befoer
• Torlad wants to reason / - will people think

Nora's Realization

• Nora can't and so Nora has made big chance and that don't feel - the wife can't just stranger so you ring and no anymore for you
• Should both make chance
• Leaves and Nora wonders is possible.

Realism in a Doll's House Defined

• Ordinary people involved in conversations and norms of society being defined

Realistic Dialogue Defined

• Language and dialogue and motivations of actors revealed

Exploration of Social Issues Defined

• Nora and play are delved into issues

Psychological Realism

• The play delves into characters
• The portrayal is provoking and insightful

Breaking the Fourth Wall

• Connects realistic events and reality

Psychological Depth Definition

• Connection between internal and psychological events being made

Nora's Realizations

• Nora undergoes huge shifts in personality and character based upon the events of the play

Torvald's Character Definition

• Torvald is shown to be condescending at all times with regards to the play
• Inability = central

Importance of Minor Characters Definition

• Characters such as those with connections contribute greatly to their experiences

Symbols and Imagery Overview

• Symbolic meaning with dolls house connection

Dolls House Symbolism

• Symbolic of the real world from a societal role
• The house is a world

Macaroon Symbolism

• Macaroons represent pleasure
• They are secret with societal symbolsim

Christmas Tree Symbolism

• Symbolizes joy, which then is ruined

Locked Door Symbolism

• Confinement desire
• Barriers with freedom

Use of Light and Dark

• State of Emotion and tone for light atmosphere

Tarantella Dance Symbolism

• Represses inner desire and the emotional breakdown

Controversial Ending Themes

• The gender roles and marraige as a result is controversial at the time

Feministic Interpretation Of The Story

Comparative Studies With Heddda Gabblr

• Shows female dynamic characters and gender challenges

Dramatic Technique

• Series of events that create tension, character and tone

Psychological Detail

Symbolism Definition

Dramatic Irony

• The true sense for example Nora

Dialogue Sharp Events

• True Intentions and reveals through conversation

Nora Is Timeless

• In literature is a point in the story