Ibsen’s Biography and Views Saman Alavi, Vida Forouhar, Nick Glauser

Ibsen’s Biography Merchant family Poverty Distrust toward society

Views on Society “Courage ... oh yes! If only one had that ... then life might be livable, in spite of everything.” (Ibsen) “Don't use that exotic word "ideals". We have a good enough native word: "lies".” (Ibsen) “I must make up my mind which is right – society or I.” (Ibsen) “The spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom — these are the pillars of society.” (Ibsen)

Views on Politics Laws should be more flexible Women deserve rights “A woman cannot be herself in the society of the present day, which is an exclusively masculine society, with laws framed by men and with a judicial system that judges feminine conduct from a masculine point of view.” (Ibsen)

Views on Gender "I am not even quite clear as to just what this women's rights movement really is. To me it has seemed a problem of humanity in general" (Ibsen) “There are two kinds of spiritual law, two kinds of conscience, one in man and another, altogether different, in woman. They do not understand each other; but in practical life the woman is judged by man's law, as though she were not a woman but a man.” (Ibsen)

Views on Marriage Genuine marriage is the joining of two equal individuals Marriage is shared not one-sided True love makes up marriage “Look into any man's heart you please, and you will always find, in every one, at least one black spot which he has to keep concealed.” (Ibsen)

Additional Sources http://www.fofweb.com/Lit/LowerFrame.asp?SID=5&iPin=BLTHS004&rID=4&InputText=Henrik+Ibsen&SearchStyle=Keyword&RecType=Analysis%20or%20Criticism&CurTab=All&RecCountVal=1&AllRecCount=275&TopThCount=53&BioCount=76&AnCrCount=91&OverSynCount=22&VideoCount=0&OrderBy=

Works Cited Adams, Robert M. "Henrik Ibsen." Britannica School. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2014. <http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/41947>. Bellinger, Martha F. "Henrik Ibsen." Henrik Ibsen. Theater Database, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014. <http://www.theatredatabase.com/19th_century/henrik_ibsen_001.html>. Brunnemer, Kristin. "Sexuality in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House." In Bloom, Harold, ed. Human Sexuality, Bloom's Literary Themes. New York: Chelsea House Publishing, 2009. Bloom's Literature. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 6 Sept. 2014 <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE54&WID=114126&SID=5&iPin=BLTHS004&SingleRecord=True>. "Henrik Ibsen Quotes." Notable Quotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2014. <http://www.notable-quotes.com/i/ibsen_henrik.html>. Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House and Other Plays. Trans. Peter Watts. London: Penguin, 1965. Print.