A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
– the only source required is the play A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen
– this is a critical thinking essay and an thesis is required
Conduct research into the history of the play, the playwright, and the world around it. Write a two to three page comprehensive essay on the play.
The following questions are intended to guide you towards creating your essay. Read the play. Think about the questions. Do some research. Choose a strong thesis, and provide evidence to support your statements. Do not just write a “play by play” synopsis of the story, and don’t just answer the questions below. I am not interested in that. I am interested in your critical thinking abilities. I am interested in what you think, what you feel, and what you’ve learned from reading the play and researching the world around it.
Questions to think about: (You don’t have to answer every question, these are meant to make you think.)
What is the plot structure of the play?
What style of drama is it?
What are the themes, metaphors, and symbols found in the play?
Who is the playwright? What is his story?
What influenced him to write this play?
Is this play based a true story?
What made this play controversial when it was first published?
What makes this play relevant today?
Is this a feminist play? (If you don’t know exactly what feminism is, I encourage you to look it up.)
Why is the ending referred to as “the door slam heard around the world”?
How does this play reflect on society?
What kind of society surrounds this story?
What role does love play into this story?
What kind of relationship do the characters have with each other? What kind of language does the playwright use to illustrate relationship?
What is the difference between what is right, and what is duty?
What sort of emotion does this play bring up for you?
Which character do you relate to the most?
What aspect of society do the characters represent?
How does this fit into the world of realism?
What sort of acting challenges does this play present?
What makes this play different than the type of plays of past centuries?
Anything else you want to think/write about?
