A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen | Summary & Analysis

Course Hero Literature Instructor Russell Jaffe provides an in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, and themes of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House.


The play’s feminist messages emerge through the story of Nora Helmer, a comfortably middle-class housewife who finds herself stifled by the repressive social mores of her social station.

Through conversations with a friend, it is revealed that she is struggling to repay a loan taken out earlier in her marriage to benevolent chauvinist Torvald.

Her lender, Krogstad, uses this knowledge in an attempt to extort her into convincing her husband to retain him as an employee at his bank. Torvald, however, fires him and he tells him that his wife has been lying about the source of the money.

Though Torvald ultimately forgives her, Nora rejects his paternalistic attitude and becomes one of the first stage heroines to leave her husband and strike out on her own—a remarkable decision for a woman of her era.

Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House was first performed in 1879 at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen. His emphasis on realism and social analysis made him the "father of modern drama." A Doll’s House is considered a touchstone in the development of realistic theatre and in 2001 was included in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.

The play A Doll’s House contains many powerful symbols including birds, representing Nora’s flight to freedom and Torvald’s view of her; money, representing men’s control over women; and Tarantella, symbolizing Nora’s attempt to avoid revealing her secret. Important themes explored are sexism, the individual versus society, honesty, and self-awareness.


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[elenakendrick]

Mr. Jaffe has saved my AP literature and composition grade!

[yoboicharlie]

not the man we asked for but the man we needed

[nolanjrice]

I believe that Nora's tarantella dance is done so aggressively in the play more than just to amuse Torvald. When it happens in the play, it is a rehearsal of the dance right before the dance is performed at the Christmas party the Helmers are going to. And since it's a rehearsal, she doesn't need to really go all-out for the dance. She may be so fiery with it because she has to show her husband how hard she's been working to entertain him, but more importantly, this happens at a point in the play after Krogstad delivers his letter and right before Torvald goes to pick up his mail. So Nora has to dance so ferociously in an effort to distract him from getting his mail and the letter that can end their financial reputation. *She is literally dancing for her life!*

[Haashooo]

wish me luck...I have a term exam today on Modern Drama...And this guy is the best online teacher who's videos helped me to get through various literature subjects in college.. Stay blessed Sir

[kyyush]

lol, i am basically just copying this and it cannot be traced back because i'm writing in norwegian lmao

[Blitzari]

My quiz is tmrw and I haven’t read my book and you just potentially saved my grade.

[blackclover]

Awesome summary and analysis. This definitely reinforced my comprehension, thank you.

[sgcustodio]

I just read the play and I really liked it. But now I'm surprised of how much symbolism it has. I learned so much with this video and made me appreciate the genius of author. Thank you

[theo]

I loved this video so much, it helped me understand better the play. I just don’t agree that Nora was trying to please her husband when dancing faster. I feel like she was trying to distract her husband so he could focus on helping her with the performance instead of work and consequently found the letter.

[JohnWithSupra]

I have to finish this book during the summer of 2022 cause next school year (when I am an IB Y1 student) in Modern Greek we would analyze it as soon as school started. You just made me have a predicted grade of 7 without even having started the IBDP! Thank you sir.

[bobdal]

A very informative and insightful summary. Good job. I read the play in college, 57 years ago!, now I understand it a little better.

[Samwise_Gamgee]

So basically my seminar on this play is going to turn out well... Thank you Course hero

[volante]

Extremely well done video, it is so helpful. Thank you for making it

[dishatupe]

Thank you so much for explain it soo well! I have an exam in a few hours and this really helped. I just wished it had more notes throughout the video!

[jeffrey]

Very good presentation. (All the books I was supposed to read and didn't in high school that I take great interest in decades later. TY!)

[dinithi]

I like krogstad than others becouse although he had known that nora fogged his father's sign he lent money to Nora. That's true he isn't motiveted money or desire to win the respect of society. Only he wanted love, understanding and honest

[idilmedia]

you're a lifesaver, im moving to a new school and i have to learn this text quickly over the summer. thank you!!!

[lanakhaled]

The irony behind it all is; men with fragile masculinity, feel obligated to control women, the ’inferior’ gender, and all that does is drive women to become more independent.

In Torvald’s mind, his duty as a man is training his wife to fit in a (inefficient) system where he thrives, and she gets a treat for obeying him. Moreover, he has to portray this figure of the “provider” however, in reality, it's the women that provide for their home, kids, and adhere to their husbands desires. Mothers, daughters, and wives like (Nora), continuously make discreet sacrifices for their loved ones, placing their own needs aside.

To conclude; Behind every successful man stands a strong, loving woman.

[crobisol]

Thank you!! I have to write about this for my final and you made this make so much more sense.

[arthurmcareeryan]

Im studying for an exam i have about this play, and this was such a big help. lots of great perspectives and interesting themes. thank you so much, you have such a great voice wich makes it easier to listen to.