Henrik Ibsen: A Dolls House

Stephen Siddall's study guide to one of Ibsen's most innovative and explosive plays.

This study guide to A Doll's House places it firmly in the context of nineteenth century European theatre, “˜novelty theatre”, and the society of Norway of its time. The book discusses responses to Ibsen, especially those of George Bernard Shaw and William Archer in London, and the relationship of the play to issues of theatrical censorship. (More modern treatments, like the remarkable ones by Ingmar Bergman and by Fassbinder, are also covered.) The character of Nora leads into a discussion of feminism, and her relationship with Torvald and the performance of the crucial tarantella is sensitively discussed.