ADH critics

Danish newspaper Social Demokraten at the 1879 premiere:

“We have never seen a better more powerful intervention in the question of women’s liberation.”

Opinion of Marxist critics:

Applauded the idea of this play being a criticism of the bourgeois institution o marriage

Ronald Gray about Torvald:

“Ibsen makes Helmer grotesque and reduces the tragic quality of the ending.”

Ronald Gray about Nora:

“Nora shows no sign of having seen the kind of man Helmer is.”

David Thomas about Torvald:

“Torvald is as much a victim as Nora.”

Sally Ledger:

“Part of Nora desires to comply with patriarchal social arrangements.”

Eric Bentley:

“Krogstad is a mere pawn of the plot.”

Toril Moi:

“An equal marriage is beyond the scope of A Doll’s House - when Krogstad and Christine agree to marry they resume traditional gender roles.”

Terry Otten:

“The play is elementaly about prostitution, about the wilful selling of oneself to gain some advantage.”