Modern realistic Drama A Doll’s House By Henrik Ibsen

Background: Ibsen (1828-1906) Born in Norway Grew up in poverty after his merchant father experienced bankruptcy Failed a college entrance exam—became determined to be a writer After writing 2 plays, hired as a playwright Moved to Italy after the theater he managed went into bankruptcy Became a popular playwright among critics and theatergoers

The Modern Realistic Drama Ibsen developed the modern realistic drama—a type of play unlike anything audiences had seen before Characteristics included Reflected ordinary language—written in prose, not verse Depicts characters and situations as they really are Addresses controversial issues and society’s assumptions A Doll House focuses on the role and status of women in the late 19th century

Shift from Romanticism to Realism Characteristics of – Romantic and Realistic Literature

Romantic Authors Mary Shelley (Frankenstein) Edgar Allen Poe (Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pyme) Nathanial Hawthorne (Scarlett Letter) James Fenimore Cooper (Last of the Mohicans)

Romantic Authors Herman Melville (Moby Dick) Daphne DuMaurier (Rebecca)

Realistic Authors Stephen Crane (Red Badge of Courage) Mark Twain (Adventures of Huck Finn) John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath; Of Mice and Men)

Why were Ibsen’s plays so controversial? Typical plays of the time were modeled after the Romantic movement, where plays: 1. were “plot heavy” 2. had idealized storylines 3. endings were unfailingly happy His later works defied the prevailing tastes in theater of the day

Ibsen’s Controversial Plays A Doll’s House (1879)—controversial because it portrayed a woman whose actions were unacceptable for that time It was definitely a controversial ending for the time It was SO controversial that when it was going to be staged in Berlin, the famous actress Hedwig Niemann-Raabe said she would only play the part of Nora if the ending was changed.

Ibsen’s Controversial Plays A Doll’s House (cont.) Alternate Ending—A Doll’s House Since the playwright's wishes were not protected by copyright, Ibsen decided to avoid the danger of being rewritten by a lesser dramatist by committing what he called a "barbaric outrage" on his play himself and giving it an alternative ending

Ibsen’s Controversial Plays Ghosts (1881) – hostile reception from the public due to Ibsen’s portrayal of realistic events and themes Enemy of the People (1882) – written in response to the public’s hostile reception of Ghosts

A Doll House or A Doll’s House In English, the title is traditionally A Doll’s House Rolf Fjelde (translator of textbook version) takes issue with the title (hence the title that appears in the textbook) How can this small change in a title change the manner in which the play might be perceived?

Ibsen’s Grave Picture of Ibsen’s Grave Tomb in Norway Ibsen had the image of an arm holding a hammer on his tomb to symbolize the way in which his plays shattered illusions about life