A Doll's House Background

Realism

Fidelity to actuality in its representation; a terms loosely synonymous with verisimilitude (the appearance of being true)

idealism

Realism opposes _

Democracy

Realism believes in _

common, average, everyday

Realist describe the _, the _, and the _

Middle

Realism is the ultimate _ class art

ethical

Realists believe fiction should concern itself with _ issues and select with a view of presenting these issues accurately.

individual, characterization

The democratic attitudes of realists make them value the _ very highly and to praise _ as the center of the novel/play

social laws/ codes; limited

During the time the novel was set, _ were restrictive to women in the 1870s. Opportunities for women who were not marries were also _.

Surface details, common actions, catastrophes of the middle class society

The chief subject matter in realism is _ (3 things)

finances, financial independence

During the time of the novel, husbands were in charge of the _. Married women were extremely limited in their rights, especially when it came to these matters, making it difficult if not impossible for women to have _.

Mimetic Theory of Art

Concentrating on the thing imitated and asking for something close to a one-to-one correspondence between the representation and the subject.

Henrik Ibsen

Considered to the be "father of realism" in drama and a pioneer of modernism

Norway

Ibsen born and died in _

Germany

Ibsen lived a large part of his life in _, where he wrote "A Doll's House"

Laura Kieler

Ibsen based the plot of A Doll’s House on the real life experiences of a family friend _

Nora Helmer

young, married woman treated as a child by her husband; plays her role as a dutiful wife and mother, but under the surface she is frustrated; she has a secret, which if revealed, can be devastating

Torvald Helmer

married to Nora; has traditional beliefs as to women, children, and marriage; has not real affection for his children; treats Nora like a child more than an equal or a partner; very concerned about money and social status; recently promoted to bank manager

Dr. Rank

friends with Nora and Torvald; suffers from spinal tuberculosis; dying; unmarried and lonely

Christine Linde

Nora's friend; was in a loveless marriage, but is now a widow; as a young woman she was in a relationship with Krogstad, but chose to marry another man for his money; she needs a job and has come to Nora in hopes Nora will persuade Torvald to hire her at the bank

Nils Krogstad

■initially the play's antagonist but undergoes a change in behavior; when he is introduced, he is angry and unhappy because of the choices he has made

Anne-Marie

the nursemaid/nanny for Nora and Torvald; she is very good at her job; as a young girl, she most likely became pregnant out of wedlock, leaving her with limited choices in her life