A Dolls House

Initial Class Notes

Naomi Graham

Realistic drama 1890s End of 19th century saw transformation in drama Woman who leaves her children outrage. Plays ending changed when first produced. A Dolls House Title o Children o Someone being controlled o Artificial o Voyeurism looking in, but not particularly supposed to be looking at it, engendering a thrill. o Infantilization being turned into an infant Strayed from conventional Petrarchan ideals of love. European author more liberal.

Act 1 Helmas apartment sense of ownership Winter setting isolation, coldness Listing of tangible objects a dolls house. No mention of light or atmosphere. Factual description. Everything is small, miniature, precise and in its place. External veneer of the place looks, as it should be. Commentary on rigid social conventions. Study knowledge, work. Helma, the male, is the holder of the knowledge and has the power of intellect. Its his personal space. Piano between expression of talent, and musical knowledge, giftedness, classical, for other people to dance (bringing together of family), traditionality. Stove implications of family, cooking Window exterior world, however theyre trapped/enclosed Small bookcase with expensive books moderate sense of luxury. Fire in stove foreshadowing an emotional build up. Underlying burning that will be exposed. Nora is represented as content initially a simplistic, artificial view. Happy humming a tune exterior faade, but may also hum out of nervousness noise to fill time. Humming and a lack of words suggest lack of substance. Nothing about her in the paragraph, only surrounding objects. Returns home with objects, trying to fill the void with them. Porter and chambermaid more money. Make sure you hide it casual, therefore secrecy is a part of her life.