Heading – A Doll’s House 3

What rights do you think women DID NOT possess in

the 19th Century? What could they NOT do?

Objective We shall examine manipulation. How a woman

persuades someone to do something and how a

man persuades someone is shown to be quite

different.

We shall also examine ‘Social Setting’ and explain

what that concept really means.

“Torvald, a man, proud to be a man – how d’you imagine

he’d feel if he knew he owned anything to me” (Page 17)

Between Nora and Torvald, who is like a puppet (Doll) and who is like a

puppeteer?

Write down your answer and

Explain your opinion.

Love and marriage is a major theme in the novel.

Theme

Marriage becomes a game of control, but who is one being controlled.

Reading pages 20 - 25 Roles:

Krogstad, a man Nora shows nothing but contempt

for. Might he be the villain perhaps:

Nora:

Mrs. Linde:

Dr. Rank, a good, kind natured and smart individual.

Street smart as well:

Helmer:

The reflective response reading journal

Spend two or three minutes writing what you think about what we’ve

just read. I suggest you write the page numbers to keep track

where you are.

Questions?

Opinions?

Good or bad things?

Anything from your ‘Keeping a reading response journal’ sheet too.

Post-Reading questions In what subtle ways does Nora manipulate Torvald

into giving Mrs Linde a job? (Re-read what Nora says

on page 24)

Could someone read out the Bottom of page 22 again.

Nora (smiling, humming)...

Do YOU think Nora has power?

Notes Marriage is a position of power in the novel. One of the first

questions asked about any character is their marriage

status.

It was common for women to marry someone for financial

security, instead of love. This created a repressive

relationship where men were in charge (Patriarchy).

Do you think this happens in today’s world a lot? Explain

your answer.

“This will soon be no place to be, except for

mothers.” (Page 26)

After we’re done reading, I’m going to ask you to write what Torvald means by

this.

Reading pages 26- 31 Roles:

Krogstad (2 Volunteers):

Nora (2 Volunteers):

Rank (Very short part):

Helmer (Very short part):

The reflective response reading journal

Post-Reading questions “This will soon be no place to be, except for

mothers.” (Page 26). What did Torvald mean by this?

(A woman borrowing money at this time was not

illegal. It was embarrassing perhaps but not illegal.)

Can you guess what crime Nora will have committed

here?

What do you think will happen next.

Exam Question notes Alongside theme, character and relationships, the following is a fairly

common question in the Leaving Cert.

Write a paragraph in which you outline what you liked (or disliked) about the

social setting in the text. (Then compare it to another text.)

Social setting

The novel consists of urban, middle-class, nineteenth century

people. Helmer is the embodiment of patriarchy as he dominates

his wife and asserts his authority. His power comes from money,

which is the most important thing in this social setting.

Social Setting Anything people do because of money or because of their views towards

woman can be attributed to social setting. The way they act or how they treat

others is because of the time and place they live in.

So far then, what do you think?

Write a paragraph in which you outline what you liked (or

disliked) about the social setting in the text.

(Which now means, do you like the way these people are acting).

Homework

Read pages 32-35

Spend 3-4 minutes reflecting afterwards.

Question: How much trouble is Nora in and what do

you think she will do next? (3-4 sentence answer)