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hades_hotline's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
points for nora being a girlboss
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
gkcnoble's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
[Torvald] HELMER.
[following her]. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? [Taking out his purse.] Nora, what do you think I have got here?
NORA.
[turning round quickly]. Money!
HELMER.
There you are. [Gives her some money.] Do you think I don’t know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time?
NORA.
[counting]. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.
HELMER. Indeed it must.
NORA.
Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.
Pp 6
In A Doll’s House Ibsen explores the complexities of the Victorian era through Torvald and Nora Helmer’s porcelain marriage. Ibsen’s play serves as a brutal metaphor for the fragile nature of the Victorian patriarchal society, highlighting the constraints placed on women's autonomy. Ibsen red-flags the obstacles women face in surviving a legal system that predominantly favours men in areas such as marriage, divorce, financial control, and child custody. Nora, for instance, assumes the role of a brainless, superficial wife to meet her husband's expectations, all the while secretly borrowing money to maintain the family's financial stability. As expected, men are not exempted from the patriarchal belief system, which hinders individuals like Torvald from loving Nora as an equal. He diminishes Nora’s sex, labels her a ‘skylark’, a ‘squirrel’, and ‘sweet little spendthrift’, and then emotionally blackmails her when she points out his flaws. In Torvald’s eyes, Nora is both a pretty doll satisfying his caprices and a nail upholding the androcentric hierarchy. However, by the play's conclusion, Nora outwits Torvald, no longer allowing herself to be subjected to his tyranny.
Ibsen’s play embodies the ‘undomesticated’ spirit of renowned feminist and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft (1792), who once said: "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."
[following her]. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? [Taking out his purse.] Nora, what do you think I have got here?
NORA.
[turning round quickly]. Money!
HELMER.
There you are. [Gives her some money.] Do you think I don’t know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time?
NORA.
[counting]. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.
HELMER. Indeed it must.
NORA.
Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.
Pp 6
In A Doll’s House Ibsen explores the complexities of the Victorian era through Torvald and Nora Helmer’s porcelain marriage. Ibsen’s play serves as a brutal metaphor for the fragile nature of the Victorian patriarchal society, highlighting the constraints placed on women's autonomy. Ibsen red-flags the obstacles women face in surviving a legal system that predominantly favours men in areas such as marriage, divorce, financial control, and child custody. Nora, for instance, assumes the role of a brainless, superficial wife to meet her husband's expectations, all the while secretly borrowing money to maintain the family's financial stability. As expected, men are not exempted from the patriarchal belief system, which hinders individuals like Torvald from loving Nora as an equal. He diminishes Nora’s sex, labels her a ‘skylark’, a ‘squirrel’, and ‘sweet little spendthrift’, and then emotionally blackmails her when she points out his flaws. In Torvald’s eyes, Nora is both a pretty doll satisfying his caprices and a nail upholding the androcentric hierarchy. However, by the play's conclusion, Nora outwits Torvald, no longer allowing herself to be subjected to his tyranny.
Ibsen’s play embodies the ‘undomesticated’ spirit of renowned feminist and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft (1792), who once said: "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Classism, Grief, and Sexism
roxanne_beznosiuk's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Read it for school. Was rather enjoyable :3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Terminal illness
Minor: Classism, Sexual harassment, Sexism, and Sexual content
booksanna's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As someone who does not particularly consume Classical books for enjoyment, but for more knowledge, this book brought me neither. Although I loved the character plot and development in the book, I felt that the ending fell flat and undelivered the great meaning of realizing the purpose of your life. I did enjoy the lesson about staying true to yourself, however its delivery could be more skillfully explored. I also felt that the shortness of the book really limited the author’s ability to deliver the story to its full potential. Although I did enjoy reading this, it could have been executed better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexism
katewhite77's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A play about a woman finding her voice over Christmas.
I would not have attempted a play like this were it not for the Audrey guide holding my head throughout and giving me extra context.
I would not have attempted a play like this were it not for the Audrey guide holding my head throughout and giving me extra context.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts
lleer's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
ashley_1206's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
honestly i expected so much more from the way my teacher was hyping this book up. i was highly disappointed i think it was just so mid. like the mc annoyed me and so did all the characters and i feel like the ending was so meh. i cant wait to do a project on this bc i was already analyzing as i read so yeah. but anyways it was mid!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
theaceofpages's review
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I can't say I was a big fan of this book. The characters were annoying and the writing didn't particularly captivate me. I can, however, admire what this work set out to do and the extremally unusual and complex female representation for the time. I can, for example, admire Nora's strength even though I don't like her. I do wonder how much of that is her having to suppress herself because of the times and bow things have changed since. I do also wonder how much of that was narrative choice (I listened to an audiobook. While this was of high quality, I did get annoyed at the ways the characters spoke at times). I can see why some people love this book, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Classism
mixuchi's review against another edition
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
avasbookmark's review against another edition
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny