Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
14th out of 242 books
—
98 voters
A Doll's House
One of the best-known, most frequently performed of modern plays, displaying Ibsen's genius for realistic prose drama. A classic expression of women's rights, the play builds to a climax in which the central character, Nora, rejects a smothering marriage and life in "a doll's house." A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.
paper, 80 pages
Published
February 21st 1992
by Dover Publications
(first published 1879)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
Jan 31, 2013
Mariel
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Barbie make me pretty
Recommended to Mariel by:
the establishment
Helmer: Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and play the hypocrite with every one, how he has to wear a mask in the presence of those near and dear to him, even before his own wife and children. And about the children- that is the most terrible part of it all, Nora....more
Nora: How?
Helmer: Because such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of the germs of evil.
Nora (coming nearer him): Are you sure of that
Mr. S, let me make myself very clear. I will never, never believe that Ibsen intended for Nora's grabbing of her husband's cloak as she ran out the door to indicate his guilt in her implied suicide. It was Christmas. In Norway. The woman was cold.
(This is why I didn't do so well in your class, isn't it, Mr. S?)
(This is why I didn't do so well in your class, isn't it, Mr. S?)
46 likes · like · see review
oh, nora. you are much maligned, and yet. i wonder why people find you so much more annoying than emma bovary, etc.
i think there's so much about this play as a historical document that i appreciate and enjoy and love that sometimes i forget it's supposed to be a PLAY.
that said, i don't think nora was *supposed* to be entirely sympathetic. i think her annoying behaviors are supposed to get on your nerves - but somewhere, i think, Ibsen hoped that you would see the way she acts is not simply who...more
i think there's so much about this play as a historical document that i appreciate and enjoy and love that sometimes i forget it's supposed to be a PLAY.
that said, i don't think nora was *supposed* to be entirely sympathetic. i think her annoying behaviors are supposed to get on your nerves - but somewhere, i think, Ibsen hoped that you would see the way she acts is not simply who...more
19 likes · like · see review
Aug 29, 2008
Shaindel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
women, men, citizens of eart over age 22-23?
I read this in college (of course) and didn't "get it" until I taught it a few years ago when I took over an Introduction to Drama as Literature course for another instructor. Wow, Ibsen understood how stifling marriage was for women in this era and how hypocritical men were. I would go into more detail but don't want to drop a "spoiler." A must-read, a classic, but I don't know at what age most readers will get it. This is why I think you should be required to have the practice marriage that do...more
Nora a woman who comes to understand that her marriage wasnt as she supposed it to be , an illusion, and that her husband is a very different person from she once believed him to be..when he cant undergo one of the hardships in their life for her sake ....
She leaves her husband and her children because she feels it is for their benefit..
her husband accused her of being a "child-wife"she feels that he was right, that she is a child who knows nothing of the world. Since she knows so little about...more
She leaves her husband and her children because she feels it is for their benefit..
her husband accused her of being a "child-wife"she feels that he was right, that she is a child who knows nothing of the world. Since she knows so little about...more
May 01, 2007
علی
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
plays,
modern-classic-drama
"نورا" شخصیت اصلی "خانه ی عروسک"، بی دلیلی مشخص؛ بی مهری یا بی احترامی همسرش، خانه را ترک می کند. برای نورا شوهر همه ی آن چیزی نیست که او طلب می کند، در عین حال روشن نیست نورا چه می خواهد. او مطمئن است بچه ها و شوهرش بی او کمبودی نخواهند داشت، تنها باید به نجات خود بیاندیشد. این نمایش نامه در اروپای قرن نوزدهم جنجالی بپا کرد، ایبسن و حتی نروژی ها را برای این یاغی گری نسبت به سنت، نبخشیدند. خانه ی عروسک دو بار، توسط مهدی فروغ، و هوشنگ پاکروان به فارسی ترجمه شده.
آثار نمایشی هنریک ایبسن مانند زندگ...more
آثار نمایشی هنریک ایبسن مانند زندگ...more
You'll ask me, "Why five stars?"
I'll answer, "Why not?" even though I felt like docking off one at first. Well, the reason is Nora and the last few dialogues of the play and probably my obsession with feminism (thanks to Ms. Atwood!)
The play overwhelmed me so much that I am now ready to disagree with anyone who has anything to say against Nora and hit all those who call Ibsen a destroyer of domestic felicity. All I have to say is if you want to know why they call Ibsen "the father of pro...more
I'll answer, "Why not?" even though I felt like docking off one at first. Well, the reason is Nora and the last few dialogues of the play and probably my obsession with feminism (thanks to Ms. Atwood!)
The play overwhelmed me so much that I am now ready to disagree with anyone who has anything to say against Nora and hit all those who call Ibsen a destroyer of domestic felicity. All I have to say is if you want to know why they call Ibsen "the father of pro...more
12 likes · like · see review
Como acababa de leerme an Ideal Husband, cuyo planteamiento no es que se parezca, sino que es prácticamente idéntico, me esperaba algo parecido sobre matrimonio, perdón, bajar de los pedestales, y blablabla. Tienen al principio una rama similar de sexismo vintage en el que se cachondean tanto que sospechas que la cuestión en realidad le trae por saco. Como siempre después de leer a Oscar Wilde uno se pregunta si debajo de tanta fascinación por el epígrafe hay algo interesante. Si se lo preguntas...more
2 likes · like · see review
Dec 06, 2009
David
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
feminist-action,
theater
I found this play to be incredibly moving. Nora, a cheerful and devoted wife, eventually finds herself questioning the validity of her marriage and the man she thought of as her husband.
It was interesting to see how both Nora and her husband handled a crisis under pressure. Nora acted independently of her husband in order to save his life, while her husband responds selfishly and ungratefully when faced with the revelation of Nora's act.
Nora proved very moving in her realization that the man she...more
It was interesting to see how both Nora and her husband handled a crisis under pressure. Nora acted independently of her husband in order to save his life, while her husband responds selfishly and ungratefully when faced with the revelation of Nora's act.
Nora proved very moving in her realization that the man she...more
12 likes · like · see review
I did not like this book because the main character got on my last nerves. A supposedly intelligent woman pretending to be an idiot to fit her husband's idea of what women are like? And in the end abandons her family. I have no sympathy for characters who punish the innocent children of their idiotic patnerships in order to "find themselves". Then again, I read this in high school so perhaps if I reread it I'll see what all the hoopla surrounding it is about.
No wonder people hate feminists! If t...more
No wonder people hate feminists! If t...more
12 likes · like · see review
I can’t understand why this is considered by many to be the first true “feminist” play. I cannot stomach many more stories of “feminists” who feel the need to abandon home and family to “find” themselves. What is feminine about walking out on your children, and in this case not even saying good-bye?
For a couple of days, I have been pondering what the masculine counterpart to a feminist is. I threw the question out to my family, and my 15-year-old daughter said, “You mean a jerk?” I think that s...more
For a couple of days, I have been pondering what the masculine counterpart to a feminist is. I threw the question out to my family, and my 15-year-old daughter said, “You mean a jerk?” I think that s...more
9 likes · like · see review
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. Many people gripe about the feminist aspect of it, given that there's such an uproar about feminism the past several decades. But this was ground breaking stuff in Ibsen's time. While I don't agree with walking out on your family or children, I do think he makes a good point about how men controlled women so much, all those years ago (and in some cases today). Women were once (and again, in some places are) like cattle to be sold or bartered for without any though...more
4 likes · like · see review
Oct 09, 2012
Laura
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Laura by:
Bettie
Drama on 3:
Tanika Gupta transposes the setting of Ibsen's classic play to India in1879 where Nora is an Indian woman married to Torvald, an English man working for the British Colonial Administration in Calcutta. Nora risks her own reputation in order to save her husband's and in the process discovers herself. This new version of A Doll's House takes a fresh look at the play shining a light on British colonial history and race relations as well as gender politics and class.
Tanika Gupta transposes the setting of Ibsen's classic play to India in1879 where Nora is an Indian woman married to Torvald, an English man working for the British Colonial Administration in Calcutta. Nora risks her own reputation in order to save her husband's and in the process discovers herself. This new version of A Doll's House takes a fresh look at the play shining a light on British colonial history and race relations as well as gender politics and class.
Oct 09, 2012
Bettie
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
BBC radio listeners
Re-visit via R3 with a Bollywoodesque twist; additional shelves here would be
colonial overlords
period piece
Henrik Ibsen's classic play in a new version by Tanika Gupta, set in India in 1879.
Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
BBC blurb - Tanika Gupta transposes the setting of Ibsen's classic play to India in1879 where Nora is an Indian woman married to Torvald, an English man working for the British Colonial Administration in Calcutta. Nora risks her own reputation in order to...more
colonial overlords
period piece
Henrik Ibsen's classic play in a new version by Tanika Gupta, set in India in 1879. Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/...
BBC blurb - Tanika Gupta transposes the setting of Ibsen's classic play to India in1879 where Nora is an Indian woman married to Torvald, an English man working for the British Colonial Administration in Calcutta. Nora risks her own reputation in order to...more
2 likes · like · see review
You know what? This play makes me realize I've been spoiled by being raised with 21st century ideals about what constitutes a feminist act. This was supposed to be a definitive Feminist play, where the sheltered woman liberates herself and leaves domesticity to pursue an education. But the manner in which her liberation is acheived is so unsatisfactory - in the play's final act, she goes from feeble reliance on her husband to "you know what? you don't really love me, i'm out of here" in literall...more
2 likes · like · see review
Although the message is clear in A Doll's House the writing is boring for a younger mind. The setting stays the same and the characters are set in their beliefs. Nora seems to contradict herself by leaving her family and kids when she took out her loan for her husband to begin with. Feminism is clear, but the writing is boring and contradicting and that is why it deserves a 3/5.
My only exposure to the Norwegian playwright, Isben...A Doll's House very cleverly tricks the reader into a dialogue concerning social justice. Isben sets up the premise-and indeed points out the shortcomings-of a society where women are simply "dolls" to be doted upon, but never taken seriously. Isben noted, "A woman cannot be herself in contemporary society, it is an exclusively male society with laws drafted by men, and with counsel and judges who judge feminine conduct from the male point of...more
Jan 06, 2008
Dottie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
plays-poetry-shorts,
1944-1966
First read in a college class Drama as Literature -- a prof who is unforgettable in many ways -- I thought the class would never come to an end. And then -- years later -- lo and behold -- I found out that I loved reading plays -- nearly as much as I loved reading novels. Could it be that this strange prof was actually successful in educating his pathetic students to appreciate reading plays as the literary works they are to begin? I am thankful that I took the class -- I've had a great deal of...more
I certainly feel for Nora--she means well and yes, patriarchy sucks, but I found her such a challenging character to like. I didn't like her when she was a silly housewife, and I didn't like her when she gained independence. Actually, now that I think about it, the fact that I find her such a troubling character is pretty revealing. Obviously I can't stand her when she's a helpmeet, but I really didn't like her once she abandons her marriage (and as a result, her children). It seems I'm not as l...more
1 like · like · see review
I found A Doll's House to be very intriguing. The time era back then was so different then how it is today. I can't even fathom asking my husband's permission before taking out a loan. It's amazing to me as to why that was such a big deal. SPOILER ALERT. One move, just as simple as taking a loan from a man had caused Nora all that grief and stress. Nora is so willing to do anything to cover it all up. She distracts Torvald so he does not read the reveiling letter that Krogstad has sent to him. E...more
----------SPOILER ALERT----------
This was my first time reading anything by Henrik Ibsen. I did enjoy myself quite a bit, I felt the ending was a bit too abrupt but the build-up was excellent, I felt like I was getting to know all the main players. On the other hand, Ibsen probably thought if he was Nora he'd say fuck it and hightail it outta there at that exact point so I'm leaving that last star blank for uncertainty.
So, A Doll's House is a 3 act play featuring Nora, Torvald her husband, Mrs...more
This was my first time reading anything by Henrik Ibsen. I did enjoy myself quite a bit, I felt the ending was a bit too abrupt but the build-up was excellent, I felt like I was getting to know all the main players. On the other hand, Ibsen probably thought if he was Nora he'd say fuck it and hightail it outta there at that exact point so I'm leaving that last star blank for uncertainty.
So, A Doll's House is a 3 act play featuring Nora, Torvald her husband, Mrs...more
2 likes · like · see review
This was a really fast fast read, like 80 pages in 2 hours and in english.
I wish I could have gotten the grasp of it a bit better myself, but it's still good to me.
Summary:
This is the story a dysfunctional marriage that didn't start with the right foot (Nora married Helmer to be able to keep her children and take care of his sick father). Now the situation is even worse and seems to be hopelessly going down.
I think I don't agree with the feminist lecture which only focuses on two points of the...more
I wish I could have gotten the grasp of it a bit better myself, but it's still good to me.
Summary:
This is the story a dysfunctional marriage that didn't start with the right foot (Nora married Helmer to be able to keep her children and take care of his sick father). Now the situation is even worse and seems to be hopelessly going down.
I think I don't agree with the feminist lecture which only focuses on two points of the...more
I think this book is a perfect read for Baruch students because it is short and bold so we can fit it into our busy schedules, yet analytical and meaningful for our complex minds. I read this for my AP independent reading, it's a play, and it's really fun to finish. My favorite aspect of this book is the involvement of the reader; it was like I was the judge and the plot was a display for me to criticize. This point is also interesting because it reveals an important concept from the meaning of...more
Wrong time to read this. Little time had passed from Woolf's A Room of One's Own and finding such parallels in the works of other women, that I had to read this. Nora, it seems, knew little of men, or perhaps believed in all the wrong miracles. I wasn't surprised a bit when Helmer 'reveals himself' in the end; I could smell his stuff even in the beginning. The condescension was clearly there and stayed throughout. But men would be men. There is much talk of this in Gone With The Wind and The Mil...more
This was another play I read for my World Drama class. It is not my favorite from the course so far but I certainly enjoyed it- it transcended my expectations, that's for sure!
The play is about Nora Helmer, a married woman whose husband Torvald is patronizing, controlling, and obsessed with being in charge of everything around him. Nora plays the roll of sweet, meek, dutiful housewife to appease him, but really, she is stashing money away that he gives her to pay off a debt to Krogstad, a banker...more
The play is about Nora Helmer, a married woman whose husband Torvald is patronizing, controlling, and obsessed with being in charge of everything around him. Nora plays the roll of sweet, meek, dutiful housewife to appease him, but really, she is stashing money away that he gives her to pay off a debt to Krogstad, a banker...more
Perhaps one of the most delicate and sophisticated play about daily life SNAFU caused by poor communication skills between the characters. If we analyze the situations from the perspective of the unitiated audience, who are comfortably tucked away from the actual events, we might think the play makes a lot of fuss about lots of minor situations that shouldn't have happened in the first place.
However, whether we want to admit it or not, similar situations happens a lot in people's life even in o...more
However, whether we want to admit it or not, similar situations happens a lot in people's life even in o...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Although now the idea this book reveals seems quite natural and the fact that some women want to be independent doesn't surprise anybody nowadays for the 19th century it was a shocking play. It sharply criticized the position of women in the society, in family, in marriage. The fact that such ideas were expressed by a man (not a woman) worked like a catalyst too and the play became an explosion in Norwegian literature. I understand it quite clear so I really appreciate Ibsen for having written i
...more
Like many people, I read A Doll’s House as part of a college composition class. When I read it the first time, I thought it was ok, but when I began to re-read and analyze it, I really enjoyed it so much more. There is so much meaning and symbolism behind the words, and I was impressed at just how well Ibsen was able to present the problems with the typical bourgeois marriage of that time. For someone who claimed to not be a feminist, he was certainly spot on with pinpointing the troubles with s...more
Jan 04, 2013
Alice
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
the-ones-i-read-for-school
Sometimes i wonder to my-self, why do plays have to be terribly short?? When i was reading A Doll's House the pages turned so quickly i was done in less than two hours. WHYYYYY????!!!!!
At first the plot did not seem riveting, but after a few of Torvald's "comments" i began to see where the story was headed. It was brilliant. Ibsen so clearly shows male dominance over women in his play through the skillful use of analogies and underlying emotions. The last phrase the sound of a door shutting...more
At first the plot did not seem riveting, but after a few of Torvald's "comments" i began to see where the story was headed. It was brilliant. Ibsen so clearly shows male dominance over women in his play through the skillful use of analogies and underlying emotions. The last phrase the sound of a door shutting...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Perks of Bein...: 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen (June & July 2013) | 3 | 8 | 7 minutes ago | |
| صدر حديثا - كتب و...: بيت الدمية | لـ هنريك ابسن | 9 | 91 | May 16, 2013 07:27am | |
| Nora's doll house | 5 | 90 | Jan 18, 2013 07:55am | |
| What Happened After? | 5 | 28 | Oct 30, 2012 11:33am |
Henrik Johan Ibsen was a major Norwegian playwright largely responsible for the rise of modern realistic drama. He is often referred to as the "father of modern drama." Ibsen is held to be the greatest of Norwegian authors and one of the most important playwrights of all time, celebrated as a national symbol by Norwegians.
His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian valu...more
More about Henrik Ibsen...
His plays were considered scandalous to many of his era, when Victorian valu...more
Share This Book
9 trivia questions
1 quiz
More quizzes & trivia...
1 quiz
“You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.”
—
58 people liked it
“I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being, just as you are--or, at all events, that I must try and become one.”
—
41 people liked it
More quotes…
Jan 30, 2013 12:55pm
The Liam Neeson version isn't as good as the Depardieu/Malkovich. It's just a sha...more
Jan 30, 2013 01:01pm