Monday 12 February 2018

"A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen

classic book club choice:
Setting: Norway, 1879
Characters: Nora and Torvald Helmer, married for 8 years with 3 children
Plot:  The marriage is the focus of the play.  Torvald treats Nora like a child, calling her his little squirrel, as they frisk around.  She is never taken seriously and Torvald claims to love her and desires to protect her and 'teach' her.  She plays into this role, since she was also treated like a child or doll in her relationship with her father.  
  At the climax of the play, Torvald is expressing his love for Nora by saying that he wished that she was in danger, so that he could risk his body and soul to save her.  Strangely enough, she is in danger and she finds out how he really reacts to a real dangerous situation.  Whoops!  Be careful what you say!
Nora reacts in a way that you would not expect in 1879.
What was the reaction?  Wikipedia says: "It aroused a great sensation at the time, and caused a storm of outraged controversy that went beyond the theatre to the world newspapers and society".

 
  This is a play and, although the words are wonderful to read, it is even better when you can see the facial expressions and tone of voice.  Very powerful!
  It is available on Youtube in a movie with Anthony Hopkins and Claire Bloom.  It is spectacular!

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