1. A Doll’s House
Henrik Ibsen

2. Ibsen
Born in Norway in 1828
Family was poor; he left home early
Deeply resented his father; rebelled
Drank
Fathered a child at 18
Joined radical political groups
Began writing political verse (questioned moral foundations of society)
Caught the attention of a famous violinist
Staged and directed 15 plays before becoming director of the Norwegian Theater
Its bankruptcy caused his career to plunge

3. Ibsen
Married in 1858
Bitter about politics, he moved to Italy for almost 30 years
Wrote two of his greatest works, Brand and Peer Gynt
Norwegian parliament granted him a pension for life because of his popularity
He began to write more realistic prose dealing with contemporary issues and problems
Wrote A Doll’s House in 1879

4. Ibsen’s Writing
Ibsen’s hero - forced to conform; torn between duty and self-fulfillment
Modern Drama
Ibsen is credited with beginning modern drama
Influences
Darwinianism
Freud and psychology
Industrial revolution
Democracy

5. The Problem Play
Ibsen is credited with the development of the problem play, characterized as a play in which:
The presentation of a social or psychological problem
Theme is more important than plot or character
Solutions are rarely given
Sentimentality is refused

6. The Problem Play
Ibsen said, “A dramatist’s business is not to answer questions, but only to ask them.”
Think about this statement as you read A Doll’s House

7. Takeaways: Things to Remember about Ibsen
He established realism as the ruling principle of modern drama
He is called the “father of modern drama”
He was viewed by his contemporaries as immoral and subversive
Critics often charge him as too radical for the 19th century, but too conservative for the 20th century

8. Ibsen