Description
A Doll’s House is a three-act play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. The play centers on Nora Helmer, a seemingly happy housewife who secretly and illegally borrowed money to save her husband’s life. As her secret comes to light, Nora is forced to confront the deceptions in her marriage and the restrictive roles society has imposed upon her. The play famously ends with Nora leaving her husband and children to find her own identity.
Key Themes:
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- The institution of marriage and societal expectations.
- The oppression of women and gender roles.
- Deception, lies, and the pursuit of individual freedom.
The purpose of this play is to provoke thought and debate on the societal norms of the 19th century, particularly regarding marriage and women’s rights. It is intended to be a critique of the traditional family structure and to challenge audiences to consider what a truly equal partnership might look like.
