Teach A Doll's House

Money is a central focus in this play for almost all of the characters. For example, Nora is paying off a debt and relies upon her husband for money.

Debt is also a major cause of tension in the story. Nora's life becomes more fraught because she needs to make secret repayments. We also learn from Nora that "Torvald had to live well", and Torvald finds Nora's spending habits wasteful.

Money is used as a form of control over women, especially Nora. She believes that her position in the family relies upon her being attractive and sexually available to Torvald.

Extract from the Unlocked A Doll's House Study Guide.

Death is an almost constant presence in this play. Dr. Rank shows compassion to her father for his inherited disease, and the way that Torvald quickly forgets about Dr. Rank, his dying friend, shows that he only cares about the life and death of others if it directly impacts him.

The death of Kristine's husband shows the impact that a dying spouse has on the surviving partner. Kristine has to financially support herself, and is forced to take up employment to survive.

Nora's departure at the end of the play also symbolizes death and rebirth for the audience.

Extract from the Unlocked A Doll's House Study Guide.

Nora's critique of the legal system is couched in the slightly naive and emotive language considered typical of a woman at the time - yet it does contain a very strong argument.

Krogstad points out that the law is not concerned with motives - Nora calls it "a very stupid law", and goes on to add:

"Hasn't a daughter the right to protect her dying father from worry and anxiety? Hasn't a wife the right to save her husband's life?" (Act 2)

The idea that the law should take motive into account is radical and reformist, and Nora's voicing it, when she is a woman who would usually have no say in politics or law, makes it all the more revolutionary.

Extract from A Doll's House Study Guide.

"I've been your doll. Just as I was my father's doll when I was a little girl. And the children have become my dolls." (Nora, Act 3)

Nora Helmer is the protagonist of A Doll's House, and is married to Torvald Helmer, a bank manager.

At first, Nora appears to be more concerned with frivolities than the practicalities of modern life. She struggles to pay off a debt she took on to - as she sees it - saves Torvald's life.

As the play progresses, Nora becomes increasingly desperate, until she is finally confronted by Torvald. After bearing the brunt of his rage, she realizes she has been playing a role her entire life. Her decision to walk out shows her strong desire to live authentically, no matter the cost.

Some actors have described Nora as the 'female Hamlet', a layered, complex character that shows a range of emotions.

Extract from the Unlocked A Doll's House Study Guide.

"Has my little hamster been spending all of my money again?" (Torvald, Act 1)

Torvald is Nora's husband and has recently been promoted to bank manager.

He tries to project an air of strength and masculinity but is actually a fragile character. Even his closest friend, Dr. Rank, explains that he has a "delicate sensibility" in Act 1.

Torvald is used to approaching interactions from a position of strength, and he cannot empathize very easily with people who make bad choices ni a tough situation, as we see when he finds out the truth about Nora's situation.

In the final scene, when confronted with a version of Nora who talks and acts like a mature adult, Torvald completely crumbles.

Extract from the Unlocked A Doll's House Study Guide.

"Do you imagine that Torvald Helmer is the only man who would die for you, because I can assure you, most vehemently, that he is not." (Dr. Rank, Act 2)

Dr. Rank is Torvald's closest friend and is secretly in love with Nora. He is also dying from a disease that he has inherited from his father.

Dr. Rank functions as a counterbalance to Nora and Torvald. He has a sense of humor, whereas Torvald is never (intentionally) funny. He is also calm, whereas Nora is energetic and anxious.

The worst thing for Dr. Rank, as he explains in Act 2, is the idea that "he'll leave nothing but an empty space. That can be filled by anybody".

Ultimately, Dr. Rank seems to make peace with his fate. When he leaves for the last time, he and Nora display genuine affection for one another.

Extract from the Unlocked A Doll's House Study Guide.