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A review by hannahbetc
A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
A Doll's House/A Doll House was a great read and a captivating look into 19th century gender dynamics as Nora struggles with societal expectations/restrictions.
I was pleasantly surprised by the ending and really liked it. On that note, I'm not shocked to learn that the ending was very controversial and (widely) disliked when this play was first produced in the late 19th century (lol).
Helmer: "Ah, you don't know a man's heart, Nora. For a man there's something indescribably sweet and satisfying in knowing he's forgiven his wife-and forgiven her out of a full and open heart. It's as if she belongs to him in two ways now...she's become his and his child as well... From now on that's what you'll be to me--you little bewildered, helpless thing".
Nora: “I don’t believe in that anymore. I believe that before al else, I’, a human being no less than you- or anyway, I ought to become one...But I can’t go on believe what the majority says or what’s written in books. I have to think over these things myself and try to understand them.”
*Many scholars prefer to translate the title to 'A Doll House' to emphasize the 'doll's' lack of possession as she is in the dollhouse, but it is not hers.
I was pleasantly surprised by the ending and really liked it. On that note, I'm not shocked to learn that the ending was very controversial and (widely) disliked when this play was first produced in the late 19th century (lol).
Helmer: "Ah, you don't know a man's heart, Nora. For a man there's something indescribably sweet and satisfying in knowing he's forgiven his wife-and forgiven her out of a full and open heart. It's as if she belongs to him in two ways now...she's become his and his child as well... From now on that's what you'll be to me--you little bewildered, helpless thing".
Nora: “I don’t believe in that anymore. I believe that before al else, I’, a human being no less than you- or anyway, I ought to become one...But I can’t go on believe what the majority says or what’s written in books. I have to think over these things myself and try to understand them.”
*Many scholars prefer to translate the title to 'A Doll House' to emphasize the 'doll's' lack of possession as she is in the dollhouse, but it is not hers.