A Doll's House

Henrik Ibsen

• Publisher: Read & Co. Classics
• Year: 2018
• ISBN:
  9781528786027
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: European Drama
• Index: Literature

This phenomenal play by Norwegian writer Henrik Ibsen shook the societal expectations of the nineteenth century with its radical portrayal of female identity and marriage roles.

First published and premiered in 1879, 'A Doll's House' frames nineteenth-century confines for women in the literal borders of a family home. Nora is married with three children and is living out the male-dictated ideal for women at the time. As the play progresses, Henrik Ibsen challenges this notion by gradually suggesting that Nora is trapped in a role that will never grant her self-fulfilment.

Ibsen's portrayal of a free-thinking heroine and the play's dismissal of societal norms resulted in a controversial reception at the time of its release. 'A Doll's House' is now considered a crucial feminist text and Ibsen is regarded as instrumental in the development of Modernism and Realism in theatrical practice.

A DOLL'S HOUSE

by

HENRIK IBSEN

First published in 1879

This edition published by Read Books Ltd.
Copyright © 2018 Read Books Ltd.
This book is copyright and may not be

reproduced or copied in any way without

the express permission of the publisher in writing

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available
from the British Library

Contents

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

ACT I

ACT II

ACT III

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Torvald Helmer.
Nora, his wife.
Doctor Rank.
Mrs Linde.
Nils Krogstad.
Helmer's three young children.
Anne, their nurse.
A Housemaid.
A Porter.

[The action takes place in Helmer's house.]

ACT I

[SCENE.--A room furnished comfortably and tastefully, but not extravagantly. At the back, a door to the right leads to the entrance-hall, another to the left leads to Helmer's study. Between the doors stands a piano. In the middle of the left-hand wall is a door, and beyond it a window. Near the window are a round table, arm-chairs and a small sofa. In the right-hand wall, at the farther end, another door; and on the same side, nearer the footlights, a stove, two easy chairs and a rocking-chair; between the stove and the door, a small table. Engravings on the walls; a cabinet with china and other small objects; a small book-case with well-bound books. The floors are carpeted, and a fire burns in the stove.

It is winter. A bell rings in the hall; shortly afterwards the door is heard to open. Enter NORA, humming a tune and in high spirits. She is in outdoor dress and carries a number of parcels; these she lays on the table to the right. She leaves the outer door open after her, and through it is seen a PORTER who is carrying a Christmas Tree and a basket, which he gives to the MAID who has opened the door.]

Nora.
Hide the Chreistmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed. [To the PORTER, taking out her purse.] How much?

Porter.
Sixpence.

Nora.
There is a shilling. No, keep the change. [The PORTER thanks her, and goes out. NORA shuts the door. She is laughing to herself, as she takes off her hat and coat. She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two; then goes cautiously to her husband's door and listens.] Yes, he is in. [Still humming, she goes to the table on the right.]

Helmer.
[calls out from his room].
Is that my little lark twittering out there?

Nora.
[busy opening some of the parcels].
Yes, it is!

Helmer.
Is it my little squ...