A Doll's House Analysis

Flashcards covering key characters, themes, and symbols in Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House'.

Nora Helmer

The protagonist of the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer, who evolves from a seemingly naive and playful character to a strong-willed, independent thinker.

Torvald Helmer

Nora’s husband, who treats her like a child and is overly concerned with his social status. His actions reveal him to be cowardly and selfish.

Krogstad

A lawyer and subordinate at Torvald’s bank. His character is contradictory, as he uses unethical tactics but also seeks to protect his children.

Mrs. Linde (Kristine Linde)

Nora’s childhood friend, a practical and down-to-earth woman whose life of poverty contrasts with Nora’s privileged existence.

Dr. Rank

Torvald’s best friend, notable for his stoic acceptance of his fate and his disregard for others' opinions.

The Christmas Tree

Symbolizes Nora’s position in the household as a decorative object, paralleling her treatment as a plaything.

New Year’s Day

Represents a new, happier phase in the lives of Nora and Torvald, but ultimately marks the beginning of a truly new and different period in their lives and personalities.

Letters

Function as the subtext that reveals the true, unpleasant nature of situations obscured by Torvald and Nora’s efforts at beautification.

Sacrificial Role of Women

The play highlights the sacrifices women make, often abandoning their own desires and needs for the sake of others, be it family or societal expectations.

Parental and Filial Obligations

The play explores the idea that parents and children have moral obligations to one another. Parental actions and moral character influence children, with children also expected to care for parents.

The Unreliability of Appearances

Over the course of A Doll’s House, appearances prove to be misleading veneers that mask the reality of the play’s characters and situations.