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A review by catnipped
Four Major Plays: A Doll's House / Ghosts / Hedda Gabler / The Master Builder by Henrik Ibsen
Did not finish book.
I was required to read A Doll's House and Hedda Gabler in school. I really enjoyed both, so I'm considering finishing the other two at some other point.
A Doll's House
I don't think I can explain my love for Nora at the end of this play. The other characters are mere shadows to the development of her character. The symbolism of the title, and the ending were just perfect. Having read the alternate ending, I can't imagine it ending any other way. Certainly in real life and at presnt time period, this ending would have to be looked at in a totally different way, but without those considerations, and seeing the main message makes this a must-read even today, in my opinion.
My rating: 5/5
Hedda Gabler
The namesake of this play has got to be one of the most terrifying characters I have ever read about. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting it, as I began the play without any prior knowledge. I think what truly makes Hedda such a frightening character is the fact that the audience lacks the ability to see inside her head. Thus, we only view her actions, and must depend on hearing her voiced opinions. Ibsen deserves credit for making such an astonishing and horrible character into a believable woman. Honestly, she is such a perfect character to hate and the end fits so wonderfully with her previous words and actions.
However, the main detractor of the play for me was that I was often confused about what was going on between the male characters/distinguishing in particular Brack and Loveborg except at the very last act. Perhaps I didn't pay enough attention, but when we would go over certain things in class, I would realize I had completely missed an important detail. Also, I would have loved to see Mademoiselle Diana in action!
My Rating: 4.5/5
A Doll's House
I don't think I can explain my love for Nora at the end of this play. The other characters are mere shadows to the development of her character. The symbolism of the title, and the ending were just perfect. Having read the alternate ending, I can't imagine it ending any other way. Certainly in real life and at presnt time period, this ending would have to be looked at in a totally different way, but without those considerations, and seeing the main message makes this a must-read even today, in my opinion.
My rating: 5/5
Hedda Gabler
The namesake of this play has got to be one of the most terrifying characters I have ever read about. Maybe it's because I wasn't expecting it, as I began the play without any prior knowledge. I think what truly makes Hedda such a frightening character is the fact that the audience lacks the ability to see inside her head. Thus, we only view her actions, and must depend on hearing her voiced opinions. Ibsen deserves credit for making such an astonishing and horrible character into a believable woman. Honestly, she is such a perfect character to hate and the end fits so wonderfully with her previous words and actions.
However, the main detractor of the play for me was that I was often confused about what was going on between the male characters/distinguishing in particular Brack and Loveborg except at the very last act. Perhaps I didn't pay enough attention, but when we would go over certain things in class, I would realize I had completely missed an important detail. Also, I would have loved to see Mademoiselle Diana in action!
My Rating: 4.5/5