Sept 4, 2015

Vocab Quiz lesson 1 today.

A Doll's House

We will discuss gender in relation to the play:

Naturally the temptation is to read A Doll's House as an early cry for feminism. The famously introvated Henrik once remarked, "the strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone." that statement could equally apply to Nora. Though long considered one of the world's first feminists, Ibsen didn't create her with the intention of writing a "feminist" play). Instead he felt A Doll's House was a play about self-liberation, rather than specifically female liberation; and so her "I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me."
(A Curtain Up Review)

Homework:
In preparation for your in-class-essay on Tuesday, outline or plan a three paragraph response to one from each of  the following sections. Two prompts will be on the test, one from each of two of the sections.You can bring a copy of the play to the test.

Section A:
1. Many Ibsen critics argue that A Doll’s House is not a feminist play, and is more about asserting self, regardless of gender. Yet Joan Templeton, in her afterword to the Signet Classics edition of Ibsen: Four Major Plays Volume I, disagrees, asserting that “Make (Nora) a man, and the play becomes not only ludicrous, but impossible.” What do you think? Is A Doll’s House a play about feminism or humanism?
2. Compare the relationship of Mrs. Linde and Krogstad with that of Nora and Torvald.
Section B:
1. Examine and analyze the symbolism of Nora's costume and the tarantella dance.
2, Consider the character of Torvald Helmer. Is Torvald an antagonist? A misogynist? Or could Torvald be just as much a victim of nineteenth century societal norms as Nora?
Section C:
1. The staging of the final scene Mabou Mines production is quite shocking. How is this ending more powerful for modern audiences than the original stage directions?
2. At the end of the play, Nora slams the door to the “doll house” and walks away. Yet she leaves Torvald with hope for “the greatest miracle.” Why did Ibsen write an "ambiguous" ending? Cite evidence from Nora’s and Torvald’s closing speeches to indicate what you believe to be the ultimate ending to this drama.

Also, bring AP workbook.