Heading – A Doll’s House 3

1. Heading – A Doll’s House 3 What rights do you think women DID NOT possess in the 19th Century? What could they NOT do?

2. Objective • We shall examine manipulation. How a woman persuades someone to do something and how a man persuades someone is shown to be quite different. • We shall also examine ‘Social Setting’ and explain what that concept really means.

3. Theme Love and marriage is a major theme in the novel. Marriage becomes a game of control, but who is one being controlled. “Torvald, a man, proud to be a man – how d’you imagine he’d feel if he knew he owned anything to me” (Page 17) Between Nora and Torvald, who is like a puppet (Doll) and who is like a puppeteer? Write down your answer and Explain your opinion.

4. Reading pages 20 - 25 • Roles: • Krogstad, a man Nora shows nothing but contempt for. Might he be the villain perhaps: • Nora: • Mrs. Linde: • Dr. Rank, a good, kind natured and smart individual. Street smart as well: • Helmer:

5. The reflective response reading journal • Spend two or three minutes writing what you think about what we’ve just read. I suggest you write the page numbers to keep track where you are. • Questions? • Opinions? • Good or bad things? • Anything from your ‘Keeping a reading response journal’ sheet too.

6. Post-Reading questions • In what subtle ways does Nora manipulate Torvald into giving Mrs Linde a job? (Re-read what Nora says on page 24) • Could someone read out the Bottom of page 22 again. Nora (smiling, humming)... • Do YOU think Nora has power?

7. Notes • Marriage is a position of power in the novel. One of the first questions asked about any character is their marriage status. • It was common for women to marry someone for financial security, instead of love. This created a repressive relationship where men were in charge (Patriarchy). • Do you think this happens in today’s world a lot? Explain your answer.

8. “This will soon be no place to be, except for mothers.” (Page 26) After we’re done reading, I’m going to ask you to write what Torvald means by this.

9. Reading pages 26- 31 • Roles: • Krogstad (2 Volunteers): • Nora (2 Volunteers): • Rank (Very short part): • Helmer (Very short part):

10. The reflective response reading journal

11. Post-Reading questions • “This will soon be no place to be, except for mothers.” (Page 26). What did Torvald mean by this? • (A woman borrowing money at this time was not illegal. It was embarrassing perhaps but not illegal.) Can you guess what crime Nora will have committed here? • What do you think will happen next.

12. Exam Question notes • Alongside theme, character and relationships, the following is a fairly common question in the Leaving Cert. • Write a paragraph in which you outline what you liked (or disliked) about the social setting in the text. (Then compare it to another text.) • Social setting • The novel consists of urban, middle-class, nineteenth century people. Helmer is the embodiment of patriarchy as he dominates his wife and asserts his authority. His power comes from money, which is the most important thing in this social setting.

13. Social Setting • Anything people do because of money or because of their views towards woman can be attributed to social setting. The way they act or how they treat others is because of the time and place they live in. • So far then, what do you think? • Write a paragraph in which you outline what you liked (or disliked) about the social setting in the text. • (Which now means, do you like the way these people are acting).

14. Homework • Read pages 32-35 • Spend 3-4 minutes reflecting afterwards. • Question: How much trouble is Nora in and what do you think she will do next? (3-4 sentence answer)