113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best a doll’s house topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 interesting topics to write about a doll’s house, 🎓 good essay topics on a doll’s house, ❓ a doll’s house essays questions.

  • A Doll’s House Stage Design: Set & Costumes Analysis One of the foremost characteristics of Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House is that its plot appears linearly defined, which, in turn, explains the semantic realism of play’s overall sounding.
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen Nora is referred by her husband as a songbird, a lark, a squirrel, names that suggest how insignificant she is to her. We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
  • A Doll’s House Modernism Theme In A Doll’s House, one of the outstanding depictions of this way of thinking was seen at the end of the play; in other words, the overall plot of the story has been used to […]
  • A Doll’s House by Norway’s Henrik Ibsen It’s ironic when Torvald says that he pretends Nora is in some kind of trouble, and he waits the time he can rescue her.
  • Liberation of Women: “A Doll’s House” Analysis While in some scenes the lights are turned off, towards the end of the play the intensity of light increases especially when Nora is talking to her husband. This is escalated towards the end of […]
  • Setting’s Influence: “A Doll’s House” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” This paper focuses on the setting in the works A Doll’s House and The Handmaid’s Tale and its impact on the characters and the author’s context through the prism of the chosen historical periods, culture, […]
  • Relationships in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen He cares mostly about his money and reputation, and through his pressure and arrogance, he makes Nora believe that her life has to only be devoted to her husband and children.
  • “A Doll’s House” by H. Ibsen: Do Desires Have a Gender? In the end, many of the characters’ desires are shaped by social norms that are imposed on them, and while some characters choose to go along with society’s expectations of them, others revolt and seek […]
  • Drama Analysis: A Doll’s House This paper analyses the position of a woman in society, the aspect of social life as well as the importance of responsibility in the drama A Doll’s House.
  • “A Doll’s House” and “Death of a Salesman” Comparison The main conflict of the play is thoroughly intergenerational and lies in Willy’s inability to accept the decision of his older son Biff, as the latter is willing to leave town to go to farmland […]
  • Marriage in Plays “A Doll’s House” and “Fences” The revelation of her husband’s true character and perspective on life causes Nora’s disillusionment with her relationship and the institution of marriage in general.
  • Deception in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen It is important to note that the topic of deception and self-deception in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” is of paramount criticality in order to understand the underlying message and characters’ actions.
  • Analysis of Setting, Character Development, and Symbolism in the Play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. In the play, the author creates the unity of setting so as to underscore the feeling that the main heroine Nora is the prisoner of her life.
  • Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” Analysis The purpose of this paper is to discuss the prominent elements of fiction used in A Doll’s House as the most vivid example of Ibsen’s approach, analyze the applied dramatic techniques, and describe different layers […]
  • “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen Review Thus, in the story, the main theme, which is the sacrificial role of female characters, is supported by the conflict of societal standards and personal intentions alongside symbolic elements.
  • Freedom in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” Literature Analysis In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, the main character, Nora is not an intellectual, and spends no time scouring books or libraries or trying to make sense of her situation.
  • Comparison of Nora From A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and Elisa From The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck The story of John Steinbeck describes only one day of life of the character, while Henrik Ibsen uses three acts in order to provide the whole picture and to describe the rise of the conflict […]
  • Semiotic Analysis of “A Doll’s House” by H. Ibsen Nora is in an intermediate position between a man and a tree, decorating the tree and allowing her husband to such behavior.
  • Positive Role Model in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen To sum up, A Doll’s House presents the harsh life of the mother and wife, Nora, who is trapped with her husband with no choices and goals.
  • The Change of Gender Roles This similarity is one of the most important to focus on the structure of the narrative. In both plays, the main actions of the characters are not directly described by the authors.
  • The Interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Presented by Patrick Garland The role of women in the society of the 19th century is a rather controversial point for the discussion in literature because of the fact the end of the century can be characterized as the […]
  • The Play “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen: Feminist Themes Hossain’s article explores the manifestations of the ideas of post-modernist feminism in the play through the analysis of the main character’s development and the overall social order where women were subordinate to men.
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” by Ibsen Benhabib’s chapter, “Feminism and the Question of Postmodernism,” highlights the connection between feminism and postmodernism in contemporary society. Nasrin examines the role of feminism in enforcing justice and human rights activism.
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” Play by Ibsen Her father used to refer to her as his doll-child, and he used to play with her in the same way she used to play with him. As a result, near the end of the […]
  • Similarities and Differences in “The Little Foxes” and “A Doll’s House” The same parallel exists with Ibsen’s Nora, who realized that to her husband, she was a doll to be played with and admired.
  • Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Play From a Biographical Perspective Later in the play, the reader learns that this is a childhood trait and she cannot allow her husband to feel obligated to her.
  • “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen He watches and describes the atmosphere of all-absorbing illusion in the society, drawing attention to the rights and destiny of a woman in it. The core of this illusion is a woman’s position in society, […]
  • The Play ‘A Doll’s House’ The play A Doll’s House is the best play the audience is presented to. Besides, the actors must come up to the audience from behind the scenes because the viewer does not need to […]
  • Henrik Ibsen’s History of “A Doll’s House” Drama While I desired Nora to become a type of Everyman in the exploration of the development of the individual as a real and valid human being, this type of exploration was only possible within this […]
  • Symbolism in “A Doll’s House” Play by Henrik Ibsen The main objective of the play “A Doll’s House” is to advocate for the ability of each individual in making decisions that are not based on the influences of other persons around him or her. […]
  • “The Father” and “A Doll’s House” Resting on these facts, it is possible to analyze some works which belong to the same period of time in order to understand the main ideas of the epoch and the authors message to readers.
  • Plays Comparison: Pygmalion, A Doll’s House and Trifles This especially appears to be the case in the situations when what happened to be the actual truth, simply does much of a logical sense in the concerned person’s eyes.
  • Drama: A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Given actions at the end of the play, she may appear to be a villain, but, in fact, she is a victim of her circumstances she was driven to her decision by the blackmail and […]
  • “A Doll’s House”, “The Storm” and “The Victims” Even though Nora is loyal to her husband in the “Doll’s House”, she is brave enough to look forward to a future on her own due to her husband’s unwillingness to become more considerate.
  • Personal Freedom in A Doll’s House, A Room of One’s Own, and Diary of a Madman In Chapter Three of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, the protagonist attempts to make sense of the nonsensical elements of female history, namely, how it could be that “in Athena’s city, where women […]
  • Henrick Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Nora’s father is mentioned quite often in the play, a fact that makes him equal to his daughter because of the deeds of the daughter.
  • Costs and Benefits of Conformity and Rebellion in Selected Literature The works are often a depiction of the way of life of the people in the society at that particular period of time In this essay, the author uses the works of chosen authors to […]
  • Parents as Failed Role Models: A Doll’s House and Fight Club The drinking culture of parents revealed in the story of the Fight Club underscores the elements that increase children’s exposure to alcohol and drug taking.
  • Women’s Refusal in Euripides’ “Medea” and Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Nora’s Character Development in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Using Soren Kierkegaard’s “Philosophies of Truth” to Analyze “A Doll’s House”
  • The Transformation of a Woman in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • An Analysis of a Woman’s Manhood in “A Doll’s House”
  • The Role of the Dress in “A Doll’s House”
  • Reasons for Nora Helmer to Stay in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Male Roles in the Plays “Antigone” and “A Doll’s House”
  • Searching for a Hero in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Binary Opposition of Phylogeny Versus Misogyny in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Theme of Feminism in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Women’s Rights as a Theme of “A Doll’s House”
  • The Role of Symbolism in “A Doll’s House”
  • Deception of Family in “Death of a Salesman” and “A Doll’s House”
  • Gender and Theatricality in “A Doll’s House”
  • How Does the Title “A Doll’s House” Demonstrate an Allegory for Women’s Role at That Time
  • Plot, Irony, Characterization of Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Representation of Patriarchal Ideology in “A Doll’s House”
  • Rights of Women in the Nineteenth Century and in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Role Playing and Control in “A Doll’s House”
  • Escaping the Cage of Marriage in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Significance of Nora’s Financial Contract With Krogstad in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Morality of Relationships in “A Doll’s House”
  • Symbols of Personal Renewal in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Problem of Free Will in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Detrimental Nature of a Love for Money in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Historical Context of “A Doll’s House”
  • Metaphors and Realistic in the Play “A Doll’s House”
  • Societal Views of Women in the Victorian Era in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Position of Masculinity and Femininity in “A Doll’s House”
  • Symbols and Symbolism as Indicative of Key Themes in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Reading “A Doll’s House” Through Aristotelian Ideas
  • The Importance of Truth in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • Themes and Symbols in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • A Double Standard in “A Doll’s House”
  • Perception of Love and the Institution of Marriage in “A Doll’s House”
  • The Character Develpoment of Nora Helmer in “A Doll’s House”
  • Mrs. Linde’s Influence on Nora’s Personal Development in “A Doll’s House”
  • Links Between “Crime and Punishment” and “A Doll’s House”
  • Comparison of Feminist Literary Heroines Nora in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and Antigone in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
  • Appearance vs. Reality in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Limitations on Women in “A Doll’s House”
  • Individual Growth, Marriage, and Social Convention in “A Doll’s House”
  • Society’s Influence on the Relationships in “A Doll’s House”
  • Inferior Role of a Married Woman Nora in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • Social Issues as Reflected in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • How Does Nora Helmer Change by the End of “A Doll’s House”?
  • Why Was Ibsen Forced to Create an Alternate Ending for “A Doll’s House”?
  • How Is Feminism Portrayed in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does the Play’s Title “A Doll’s House” Mean?
  • Why Is Nora From “A Doll’s House” a Hypocrite?
  • What Are Three Main Themes of the Play “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Is the Moral of “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Is the Symbolic Meaning of the Tarantella in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Are the Symbols in “A Doll’s House”?
  • Why Did Nora From “A Doll’s House” Borrow Money?
  • What Is Wrong With the Relationship of Nora and Torvald in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does “A Doll’s House” Say About Society?
  • Why Does Nora Dance Wildly in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does the Christmas Tree Symbolize in “A Doll’s House”?
  • How Is “A Doll’s House” an Example of Realism?
  • What Crime Did Nora Commit in “A Doll’s House”?
  • In What Ways Does Dr. Rank Provide a Contrast to Torvald in “A Doll’s House”?
  • Who Is the Antagonist of “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does Nora’s Happiness Symbolize in “A Doll’s House”?
  • Why Is Nora Compared to a Doll in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does the Lamp Come To Symbolize in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does Nora Sacrifice in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Do Macaroons Represent in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Is the Most Wonderful Thing That Nora Helmer Talks About in the Last Scene of “A Doll’s House”?
  • Why Does Nora Forge Her Father’s Signature?
  • What Is the Central Problem of “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Does the Mailbox With a Key Symbolize in “A Doll’s House”?
  • What Secret Has Nora Been Keeping in “A Doll’s House”?
  • How Did Ibsen Use Dramatic Irony in “A Doll’s House”?
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, December 5). 113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-dolls-house-essay-examples/

"113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 5 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-dolls-house-essay-examples/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 5 December.

IvyPanda . 2023. "113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-dolls-house-essay-examples/.

1. IvyPanda . "113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-dolls-house-essay-examples/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." December 5, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/a-dolls-house-essay-examples/.

  • Catcher in the Rye Topics
  • 1984 Essay Titles
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings Research Ideas
  • The Crucible Research Topics
  • Call of the Wild Questions
  • The Fall of the House of Usher Research Ideas
  • The Alchemist Questions
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream Titles
  • A Raisin in the Sun Essay Titles
  • The Bluest Eye Titles
  • A Rose for Emily Research Topics
  • Canterbury Tales Research Ideas
  • The Awakening Questions
  • The Cask of Amontillado Research Ideas
  • Coming of Age Research Topics

A Doll’s House Essay

A Doll’s House was written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879. A Doll’s House is not only one of Henrik Ibsen’s most famous plays, but it has also been seen as the starting point for realist drama. A Doll’s House, along with Brand and Peer Gynt, are often considered to be the first modern plays written in Europe. A Doll’s House is a play about power, money, guilt, duty, and family relationships.

A Doll’s House starts with Mrs. Nora Helmer who decides that her family should have an evening at home to celebrate Torvald’s birthday even though there are various outside activities planned earlier on that day. After getting all the children to bed Nora makes some coffee and brings some cake for herself and Torvald. She notices that the maid is not coming in to clear the table, despite several requests. As it turns out, Aune (the maid) is sick and unable to come to work. Nora remarks on Aune’s “poor condition”, saying she will take up Aune’s duties while Aune is ill.

Eventually, Nora forgets about Aune entirely as she becomes engrossed in her own thoughts of how their life together has become stifling; all play rather than essential sustenance of family life had ceased, with Torvald preferring to read newspapers alone in his study each evening rather than engaging with his wife or children. Nora decides she must break free from the chains that bind her. Aune, who turns up at one point is too sick to help with Nora’s children. Nora promises Aune that she will hire a nurse for Aune once Aune has recovered from her illness.

Aune leaves and Torvald enters. He asks about Aune, not believing that an important event would prevent Aune from attending work. The two converse until Nora suggests that they go out to visit Mrs. Linde (who had earlier announced temporary departure due to poor health). Torvald becomes irate over this suggestion as he does not have time to waste on “unimportant” people currently immersed in newspaper reading. He complains of the dinner being cold, further displaying his ignorance of his family and Aune’s conditions.

Nora sees past Torvald’s narrow-mindedness and decides to sit down and play the piano without his permission. He becomes even angrier because Nora has lost track of time while playing; instead of taking up Aune’s duties, she should be finishing the housework such as what Aune would typically do. Nora sees that her husband is quite ignorant in not understanding why Aune is unable to come into work, yet he will not allow Aune a few days’ leave when needed. She tells Torvald about Aune’s illness, but he does not believe it to be a serious affliction.

Not wanting to argue with him so late night, Nora decides to postpone Aune’s endeavor to find a nurse for Aune. The play moves to the following morning, as Nora narrates her daily routine (how she is to be “the perfect wife”). She is aware of Torvald’s explicit caresses every time he returns home from work, but his attentions are merely symbolic gestures signifying their financial arrangement. Aune enters, having recovered from her illness enough to return to work.

Aune relates that one of Mrs. Linde’s family friends has offered Aune a better-paid position in another town. Aune asks Nora whether she believes she is doing the right thing by leaving Nora in need of help with the children and housework. Aune also asks Nora if Torvald will speak to Aune about her departure. Aune requests that Nora not mention Aune’s leaving to Torvald, because Aune does not want him to feel obliged to give Aune a reference. Aune also discloses why she has taken the position, stating she is leaving for “personal reasons”.

Mrs. Linde enters, stating that an old friend of hers who works as a lawyer in Rome has offered her well-paid work caring for his motherless daughter. She requests permission from both Aune and Nora before accepting the job offer. The two are supportive; they will need help while Aune is gone. Mrs. Linde remarks on how overjoyed she is by the prospect of finding employment once again after such a long period of unemployment. Aune also shares her plans of finding a nurse for Aune, but Nora is reluctant to share the news, Aune, leaving with Torvald because he will be disappointed at Aune’s departure.

Aune warns Mrs. Linde that she must not mention Aune’s departure to Torvald either. Aune leaves and Mrs. Linde takes over Aune’s duties in the kitchen while Nora continues playing the piano. Torvald once again returns from work, ruining his routine when he finds no one in the sitting room waiting for him. He calls out “Nora”, and Nora responds by going into her bedroom where Torvald sits on a chair reading a newspaper. She tells him about Aune having left the house. Aune, Nora points out, will definitely provide a reference for Aune.

Torvald begins to worry about Aune leaving, citing that Aune’s work has been outstanding and she would be an exceptional nurse even to his children. He accuses Nora of not being considerate enough towards Aune in allowing Aune the choice of whether or not to stay. Torvald proceeds with his newspaper reading while Nora returns to playing the piano; he comments on how well-played the piece is and praises her talent at playing it so excellently together with such speed and agility. Torvald remarks that Nora never ceases to amaze him (“”Det star mig sa n? som for/Og det driver mig saa forf? rdeligt til vanvidd””).

Aune returns from the kitchen, where Aune has been packing her belongings. Aune asks Nora if she could have a few moments alone with Torvald to say goodbye. A few minutes later Aune asks Mrs. Linde to take a peek at Aune and Torvald to see whether they are finished talking yet because Aune cannot hear anything from Aune’s bedroom. Mrs. Linde enters first before calling for Aune; she tells Aune that it would be best for Aune not to come inside as it appears that there is trouble between them.

Aune stays anyway, deciding that enough time should have passed by now as Mrs. Linde re-enters Aune’s room. Aune enters the bedroom to see Torvald embracing Aune; they are back in love. Aune overhears that Torvald has no idea Aune is leaving until Aune hears Torvald describe how it feels like Aune has left him all alone with three children—he knows exactly how much Aune means to Nora (and vice versa); he wants Aune to stay, even though he can offer her very little except for his gratitude and admiration of Aune’s work.

More Essays

  • Is Feminism really a theme in Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House?
  • A Dolls House Comparison Essay
  • Essay on Societal Norms In A Dolls House
  • “A Doll’s House” by Hendrik Ibsen
  • A Dolls House Women Essay
  • Irony In A Doll’s House
  • Macaroons In A Doll’s House Essay
  • A Doll’s House Controversy
  • A Doll’s House: Theme of Emancipation of A Woman

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Pitchgrade

Presentations made painless

  • Get Premium

117 A Doll's House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

117 A Doll's House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen is a play that has captivated audiences and sparked debates since its first performance in 1879. The play explores themes of societal expectations, gender roles, and the pursuit of individuality. If you are tasked with writing an essay on A Doll's House, here are 117 topic ideas and examples to help you get started.

  • Analyze the character development of Nora Helmer throughout the play.
  • Discuss the significance of the title "A Doll's House" and its relation to the play's themes.
  • Explore the portrayal of marriage in A Doll's House.
  • Compare and contrast Nora's and Torvald's views on money and financial independence.
  • Examine the role of secrecy and hidden truths in the play.
  • Discuss the concept of identity and self-discovery in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the character of Torvald and his impact on Nora's journey.
  • Explore the theme of rebellion against societal norms in the play.
  • Discuss the significance of the Christmas tree in A Doll's House.
  • Examine the use of symbolism in the play, focusing on specific objects or actions.
  • Discuss the portrayal of motherhood in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the role of Krogstad in the play and his relationship with Nora.
  • Explore the theme of appearance versus reality in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the role of Mrs. Linde in the play and her impact on Nora's life.
  • Examine the theme of sacrifice and its consequences in the play.
  • Analyze the portrayal of gender roles in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the theme of power dynamics in the play, focusing on the relationship between Nora and Torvald.
  • Explore the concept of freedom and its limitations in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the significance of the tarantella dance in the play.
  • Discuss the theme of societal expectations and its impact on the characters.
  • Examine the role of the macaroons in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the motif of deception and its consequences in the play.
  • Discuss the importance of dialogue and communication in A Doll's House.
  • Explore the theme of individuality and its suppression in the play.
  • Analyze the portrayal of love and its complexities in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the role of Dr. Rank in the play and his significance to the story.
  • Examine the theme of morality and ethical choices in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the ending of the play and its implications for the characters.
  • Discuss the theme of social class and its impact on the characters' lives.
  • Explore the portrayal of marriage as a contract in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the role of society in shaping the characters' actions and decisions.
  • Discuss the theme of manipulation and control in A Doll's House.
  • Examine the symbolism of the letter in the play.
  • Analyze the portrayal of forgiveness and redemption in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the theme of duty and obligation in the play.
  • Explore the concept of justice and its absence in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the significance of the dollhouse as a metaphor in the play.
  • Discuss the theme of appearance and reality in A Doll's House.
  • Examine the role of Nora's children in the play and their impact on her decisions.
  • Analyze the portrayal of friendship and loyalty in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the theme of self-discovery and personal growth in the play.
  • Explore the concept of rebellion against societal norms in A Doll's House.
  • Analyze the symbolism of the key in the play.
  • Discuss the theme of independence and its challenges in A Doll's House.
  • Examine the role of religion and morality in the play.
  • Analyze the portrayal of masculinity and femininity in A Doll's House.
  • Discuss the theme of appearance versus reality in the play.
  • Explore the concept of sacrifice and its consequences in A Doll's House.

These essay topic ideas and examples should provide you with a solid foundation to explore the various themes, characters, and symbols in A Doll's House. Remember to choose a topic that interests you and allows for in-depth analysis. Good luck with your essay!

Want to create a presentation now?

Instantly Create A Deck

Let PitchGrade do this for me

Hassle Free

We will create your text and designs for you. Sit back and relax while we do the work.

Explore More Content

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2023 Pitchgrade

A Doll's House Henrik Ibsen

A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House.

A Doll’s House Material

  • Study Guide
  • Lesson Plan

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2359 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11005 literature essays, 2763 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

A Doll’s House Essays

Reflections of social problems of modern people in the play “a doll's house” murat salar college, a doll's house.

From the beginning of the mankind, people have faced with so many problems. It seems that just surviving and sleeping with a full stomach are not the main problems of developed civilizations since the first formations of societies. ‘Surviving in a...

Reactions to Abuse in “POOF!” and “A Doll House” Katie Davis College

Loureen, the protagonist of Lynn Nottage’s play, “POOF!”, and Nora, the main character of Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll House”, are both abused by their husbands. While Nora’s abuse is primarily emotional and Loureen’s is physical, their abuse led them...

The characterization of Nora, Mrs. Linde and the nurse as a theme for female sacrifice in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Anonymous 12th Grade

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House follows Nora Helmer’s stifled life within the confines of society’s patriarchal edifice and her own household. The depiction of Nora, her childhood friend Christine Linde, and the nurse Anne within this structure is...

Influence of Antigone on A Doll's House Anonymous

It is very difficult to label something as a first in literature. Much the way inventions are often adaptations of previously patented objects, most authors borrow ideas and techniques form pre-existing media. In order to truly classify something...

Burning Down the Doll House Noah David Safford

'Until death do us part.' Well, not always. Everywhere one looks, divorce is plaguing society, and it has become widely accepted throughout the world. Now the violent shredding of a family is shrugged off like the daily weather, and the treasured...

Ibsen's Portrayal of Women Emma Young

'Ibsen's knowledge of humanity is nowhere more obvious than in his portrayal of women' (Joyce). Discuss and illustrate:

In his often quoted 'Notes for a Modern Society' Ibsen stated that, 'in practical life, woman is judged by masculine law, as...

Dressed to Impress: The Role of the Dress in Cinderella and A Doll's House Sarah Scudder

The donning of her [dancing] dress has brought about the turning point of her life.

-Barbara Fass Leavy

Dress and outward appearance have historically played a significant role in the plot development of fairy tales. Perhaps the most famous dress in...

A Doll's House: Revolution From Within Ryan Schildkraut

When Nora Helmer slammed the door shut on her doll's house in 1879, her message sent shockwaves around the world that persist to this day. "I must stand quite alone," Nora declares, "if I am to understand myself and everything about me" (Ibsen...

A Doll's House: Breaking With Theatrical Tradition Kristen Roggemann

In A Doll's House by Ibsen, the author takes the preconditions and viewer expectations of the play format established by earlier writers and uses them to shock his audience rather than lull them into oblivion with simple entertainment. Ibsen...

Analysis of Ibsen's A Doll's House: Feminist or Humanist? Ashley J. Smith

Henrik Ibsen's well known play, A Doll's House, has long been considered a predominantly feminist work. The play focuses on the seemingly happy Helmers, Nora and Torvald, who appear to have an ideal life. Nora is charming, sweet, and stunningly...

A Doll's House: Jungian Analysis Anonymous

In Ibsen's A Doll's House, the path to self-realization and transformation is depicted by the main character, Nora Helmer. She is a woman constrained by both her husband's domineering ways as well as her own. From a Jungian perspective, Nora's...

Truth or Illusion? Hadeel Asaad

Truth or illusion? When the fantasy world people create in order to cope with the absurdity of life is brought too far into reality, it becomes hard to distinguish between authenticity and fiction. This ambiguity is apparent in both Edward Albee's...

Ibsen and Larsen and Women Kathleen M Dooley

Though written almost fifty years apart, and by two authors from completely different backgrounds, Nella Larsen's novel Quicksand and Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House (also known by the title A Doll House) address similar issues concerning the...

The Role of Women in "A Doll's House" and "Ghosts" Danielle St. George

The Role of Women in "A Doll's House" and "Ghosts"

The role of women has changed significantly throughout history, driven in part by women who took risks in setting examples for others to follow. During the Victorian era, women were beginning to...

A Defense of Torvald Helmer Colter Ross Brown

A predicatable response to reading Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House might be a distaste for Nora's feeble-minded obsession with money, possessions, and culture through the first two acts that is then, suddenly and unexpectedly, reversed as those...

A Doll’s House and the Escape From Ideological Suffocation Timothy Sexton

Marxist critic Louis Althusser’s fame rests substantially on the basis of his critical theories surrounding his proposition that human beings are interpellated by society to become complicit in propagating the prevailing ideology even when that...

Existential Models of Love in A Doll's House and The Seducer’s Diary Anonymous

According to Soren Kierkegaard, there are three categorizations of people based on their motive and actions: the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious. In The Seducer’s Diary , Kierkegaard presents the character of Johannes as a typical...

Gender and Theatricality in A Doll's House Anonymous

The play A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen, offers a critique of the superficial marriage between Nora and Torvald Helmer. Written in 1879, the play describes the problems which ensue after Nora secretly and illegally takes out a loan from a local...

Aristotelian Themes in A Doll's House Anonymous

Considered the precursor of Western dramatic criticism, Aristotle’s notes on The Poetics arms modern readers with the language by which tragedy is evaluated and judged. In this essay I will examine how Aristotle’s classical vision of tragedy...

The Hollowness of Conventional 19th Century Christian Morality in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll’s House and Emile Zola's Therese Raquin. Ryan N Skaria

Both Ibsen and Zola were firm believers in portraying their characters and works from a realistic perspective. Zola founded the naturalist movement in fiction and shared the same general perspective on society as Ibsen, who was the first of a new...

Male and Female Space, Onstage and Off, in Ibsen's A Doll's House Anonymous College

In “Space and Reference in Drama,” Michael Issacharoff argues that diegetic space is offstage space and mimetic space is onstage space. Issacharoff argues that “dramatic tension is often contingent on the antinomy between visible space represented...

A Study of the Significance of Mrs. Linde and Krogstad's Confrontation in Act III to the Plot Development and Thematic Ideas of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House Anonymous College

As one of the leaders of the realist movement in drama, Henrik Ibsen earned his reputation for creating plays that accurately depict the details of ordinary peoples' lives. The first two acts of A Doll's House are safe territory, following the...

Ibsen versus Society: Three Breakthrough Dramas Hannah McComb College

Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828 to a merchant family in the small Norwegian town of Skien. After his family fell into poverty, he was forced out of his education and, at 15, worked as an apprentice in a pharmacy. It was here that he began writing...

Social Criticism in A Doll's House and Look Back in Anger Megan Shannon 12th Grade

The term "social criticism" refers to a type of condemnation that reveals the reasons for malicious conditions in a society which is considered deeply flawed. Indeed, both Ibsen and Osborne, in their respective plays A Doll’s House and Look Back...

examples of essays on a doll's house

Nora’s True Identity

      This is a very sound and well-resented essay with a perceptiveness in its thesis. There are a few glitches in some of the sentences, but not enough to detract for the overall impression of intelligent commentary. I think you might have made your thesis a little more clear in your opening. For instance, you might have said: "Even in the life she lives with Torvald, there are signs that beneath the "twitterbird" and "squirrel," there is a strong and capable woman functioning in secret. It is this secret Nora who emerges in the end, ready to openly seek an independent life where her attributes needn't be concealed." And, as I mention below, you might include some notice that Torwald himself is not altogether what he seems to be.

     Again, some fine thinking through the implications of the play and a clear exposition. This is a good example of an A paper. I would probably give it in the vicinity of a 96.

Essays on A Doll's House

An analysis of victorian mannerisms in a doll’s house, a play by henrik ibsen.

I thought that it was really interesting how much of the Victorian era mannerisms played a part in Doll’s House. I didn’t realize that there were so many subtle ground rules around the house and with the interactions between the the husband, wife, and children. On top of that, it was very surprising how much […]

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Review

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen has earned critical acclaim from many, ranging from the common masses to renowned linguists. In 1879 however, at the time of its publication, it was at sharp odds with both societal and literary conventions and so, it was heavily scrutinized. It was fundamentally different from Romantic dramas, the prevalent […]

Our editors will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

A Doll’S House Analysis

In the play A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen the author gives the characters conservative roles of men and women from the nineteenth century. The play has a strong plot that contains a series of conflicts that the protagonist of the play must undertake throughout her life, facing an internal struggle between what she believes is […]

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen was written as a result of the rules and conventions obtained by the Northern European Society. In this novel, he proposed that the society was controlled in a restricted manner and was extremely unfair. Although the social context may have differed since the 19th century, the universality and comprehension […]

A Doll’S House : Sexism

Ladies have consistently been viewed as the more fragile and progressively sensitive of the sexual orientations in the public eye. Men have consistently been viewed as the pioneer and the leader of the house hold. Regardless of how often this injustice of the genders has been tended to it has continued as before. Men are […]

The Controversy Over The Role and Gender of Women in “A Doll’s House”

Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) made a real name for himself in the mid-nineteenth century when he tackled the traditional marriage model and the role of the woman in the home with the play A Doll’s House, first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 1879. Ibsen’s character Nora shocked contemporary audiences by leaving her husband […]

Controversy of The Characters Torvald and Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

Throughout the story of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, we are able to see just how flawed Torvald’s character is. In the beginning of the story, we come across Nora coming home with Christmas gifts for the children and Torvald scolding her for not spending money wisely. Even though Torvald has recently just been […]

Ibsen’s Play a Doll’s House

In the 19th century, the movement of realism within the arts started to become more widespread and from that emerged the form of drama that we know today as the “problem play”. The problem play is a form of drama that confronts social issues and displays conflicting points of view in a realistic manner. Norwegian […]

The Theme of Money Moliere’S Tartuffe and Henrik Ibsen’S a Doll’S House

Plays are some of the most critical pieces of literature that date back to the earlier society. Through a well-defined characterization, play writers have proved to have an extended capacity to communicate ideas and deconstruct themes. Moliere’s Tartuffe and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House are two of the most acclaimed plays in the world of […]

The Metamorphosis and a Doll’S House

I had studied two texts, which is “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka and “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen. Many writers’ works have their own characteristics, which some are better than others. These writers included Franz Kafka and Henrik Ibsen. Their work expresses the elements that makes literature interesting. There are similarities and differences in […]

Henrik Ibsen’S Play ‘A Doll’s House”

Henrik Ibsen’s play ‘A Doll’s House” introduces us to Nora Helmer and shows us how her idea of life changes when her long kept secret is revealed. Nora’s husband’s new position as the Manager of the town Bank, has her convinced she will be living a stress and worry-free life. However, Nora’s wonderful life is […]

Torvald Helmer Character Analysis: a Dolls House

In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House, a drama written during an 1879, middle-class, suburban Europe, he boldly depicts a female protagonist. In a culture with concern for fulfilling, or more so portraying a socially acceptable image, Nora faces the restraints of being a doll in her own house and a little helpless bird. The title […]

A Doll’s House and a Doll’s House Part 2

In A Doll’s House and A Doll’s House Part 2, we see that being independent comes up many times in both plays with one of the characters, Nora Helmer. Being independent affects Nora in a number of ways because it is what she is trying to change about herself throughout both plays. Nora’s husband, Torvald […]

Themes of Feminism, Marriage, and Respect Found in a Doll’s House

The late, great Maya Angelou once said, “You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” This idea is one that is clearly embraced my Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House, a dramatic script filled with many heavy themes that leave […]

Symbolism in Henrik Ibsen’s Play “A Doll’s House”

Similarly, stage props are used to show the agony of a character’s dilemma. When Nora enters at the beginning of the play, she is bringing home a Christmas tree, a symbol of a festival focused on the renewal of life and family happiness. The tree is seen only briefly but for long enough to establish […]

Revolutionary Ideals in The Play “A Doll’s House”

Published in 1879, “A Doll’s House” illustrates ideals that were revolutionary in the nineteenth century. The characters and conflicts are portrayed truthfully. Nothing in the play is glorified, there is no stereotypical happy ending, and there is an absence of romance. Ibsen uses realistic diction, which strives to portray life accurately and shuns idealized visions […]

The Portrayal of Nora’S Love Story in Ibsen’S “A Doll’S House”

In the short play A Doll’s House by Ibsen, Nora isn’t the first person to fall out of love. Mrs. Linde only married her husband for money. Krogstad’s wife deserted him and left him with children. Even the Nurse and her husband lost love and the nurse decided to leave her daughter for a job. […]

Gender Discrimination and Women’S Sovereignty in “A Doll’S House”

Before the women’s suffrage and women’s rights movement, women were taught to act like dolls, which is portrayed in the first and second acts of “A Doll’s House”. Many women weren’t educated well and their only duties were taking care of the children, the house, and their husbands. Men, and even some women, believed that […]

The Difference of Men and Women in “A Doll’S House”

In the culture of the late nineteenth century, men and women were viewed as having strict gender-specific roles in everyday life. Most noticeably, men were supposed to be strong bread-winners of a typical household, whereas women were significantly more dainty and expected to be homemakers. The play “A Doll’s House”, written by Henrik Ibsen makes […]

The Choice of a Free Woman in Henrik Ibsen’s Book “A Doll’s House”

It’s your own will to live your life freely or abandoned is a life-changing time.it comes without alert, and can change your whole life ugly. Either way, nothing will ever before be the same. The book, A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen, is approximately characters who are all dealing with the move to become either […]

A Husband’s Vision of His Wife in The Play “A Doll’s House”

A play Title “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen is a great example of how a husband treats or sees his wife because of the time he lives in. A Doll’s House is a famous play written in the 19th century. The main characters are Nora and her husband Torvald. At the beginning of the […]

The Role of a Woman in Henrik Ibsen’s Play “A Doll’s House”

The play A Doll House Written by Henrik Ibsen presents themes such as the sacrificial role of women, and money and work. Women in the late 1800s were only supposed to do what their husbands told them to do. Women wet treated like pets instead of humans. A Doll House was written during the late […]

A Woman’s Position in Society in “A Doll’s House”

In the play, A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, the interaction of characters exposes the ideas such as women in society for the audience to think about. For example, from the interaction between Nora and her husband, Torvald, we see that the position of a woman in society at the time is a lot […]

Play “Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

In a “Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, although Nora’s role as the submissive wife is initially exhibited through performances for her husband, the tarantella dance is later used as a method of distraction and ultimately as a metaphor for Nora’s growing disillusionment with her marriage. The multifaceted metaphor of dance and performance demonstrates role playing […]

Feminism in The Play “Doll’s House”

The play begins on Christmas Eve portraying Torvald and Nora as a happy family who has finally hit a point in their life where they are financially stable. A Doll’s House has three main subjects including women’s status and their treatment by men, lack of true love and respect, and lack of dignity in the […]

Toxic Relationships in The Play “Doll’s House”

Nora Helmer from the drama, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and Adam Sorenson from the romantic drama, The Shape of Things by Neil Labute are two characters that are very similar, but also have many differences. The plays take place in completely different times and places, with A Doll’s House taking place in a […]

Antigone: Women Repreentation 

Antigone is about a woman with the same name as the title who is willing to die as she goes against the king’s rule to bury her brother while A Doll’s House focuses on the Helmer Family especially Nora who tries to balance being a mother and a secret she is keeping. We see different […]

The play A Doll House Written by Henrik Ibsen presents themes such as the sacrificial role of women, and money and work. Women in the late 1800’s were only suppose to do what their husbands told them to do. Women wet treated like pets instead of humans. A Doll House was written during the late 1800’s, during this era people believed that everything a women owned her husband owned also the men had the right to everything even the wives body. A Doll House goes against this idea when Nora the wife to Torvald leaves her family. The author of the play seems to say that women should have more authority and should not have to depend on the husband to do everything.

The sacrificial role of women, The role of women has alternated naturally throughout years, guided by women who took the opportunity in representing examples for others to follow. Henrik Isben, author of a Doll House, said “A women cannot be herself in society of the present day, which is an exclusively masculine society, with laws framed by men and with a judicial system that judges feminine conduct from a masculine point of view” (Innes 147). This shows that Isben knew about male control in community of people during the 1800’s.

In his play “A Doll House,” it has to do with male and female status giving people special favors and male control. Women appear to be seen as lower than the males, and males are to be so much more advanced because most people think the male are better than the females. “A Doll’s House,” by Henrik Ibsen characterizes the sacrificial role of women in the 1800’s, Ibsen shows a rare picture of the sacrificial role held by women of different money based and their standards in his drama play. The play’s female personalities show Nora’s statement that men decline to show their honest and good human quality.

In order to support her mother and two brothers, Mrs. Linde found it necessary to leave Krogstad. She left her true love, Krogstad, to marry a richer man. These are some of the sacrifices that women have to make to provide for their family. The nanny had to leave behind her own child to support herself by working as Nora’s nanny and baby sitter. As she often told Nora, the nanny thinks about herself very lucky to receive the job as the sitter, since she was a poor girl who was left away from what’s right. Isben concerns about women in the world are brought up brought up throughout the play. He believed that women had the right to develop their own quality that makes something stand alone, but only if they made a sacrifice.

A female is given all her tasks and duties managed by the planning ran by a male. Men control and rule over the world of females, while women have to be always following orders and rules given by the male, and women have to be obedient to their husbands giving them what they want. They are usually promised in marriage, working as either toys or tools for their husbands. As women were given this authority is deeply set within and part of their community and female character while their identity as human beings with the right to enjoyment, and power is almost completely given up.

While the world is basically ran by men and structure on which bigger things can be built, they are represented by a set of self- sacrificing and obedient attributes; Most women suffer from labeling as victims of the male ruled over community of people for their disobedient spirit. Ibsen intelligently describes a range of disobedient characters, and let everyone know about the related to religion holy trip; they have gone through their constant pursuit of freedom from slavery, freedom, and bitter struggle to regain their identity and power as human beings.

In the late 18th century most of the people were working class. In order to be considered middle class you had to have at least one servant. Most servants were female. Male servants were much more expensive because men were paid much higher wages. Throughout the century service was a major employer of women.

In the play, money is a physical object to represent an idea or emotion the power that character have over one another. In the first scene, Torvald’s ability to control how much Nora spends on Christmas presents shows his power over her. Meanwhile, the money owed that Nora owes Krogstad allows him to have power over her and Trovald. Both Nora and Mrs. Linde cannot earn large incomes because they are women; their inability to access big amounts of money is one way that they are badly mistreated by the sexism of the time. The play also shows that, while earning money leads to power, and it also can be dangerous. In the beginning of the play Nora is proud of the fact that she “raised” the money for her and Torvalds trip to Italy herself But the money she owes soon becomes a source of terror, fear, and shame.

In the 1800s the new middle class split into two groups, the upper middle class and the lower middle class. The upper middle class included factory owners, doctors, lawyers, and government workers, they were almost the equal to the upper class. The lower middle class included skilled workers, toolmakers, and factory supervisors. They usually lived in the city because they had to work in businesses.

Finally, the early class of people who work hard and don’t make a lot of money involve workers that worked in the factories, shops, and other businesses. They were the ones that hurt the most. In the coal mines, many women and children died of black lung. In fabric factories, children had been getting hurt by the machines. If they didn’t work hard enough or took a short break, factory supervisors would whip them. The women, had no big advancement in working conditions for them either. They had to work 14 hours a day and they lived in cramped in small houses, dirty streets that did not have sewers and barley any lighting. If a worker died, there was no insurance involved. They would just get replaced by another women.

Most middle-class families leased their houses instead of owning them, with really small rooms on the top floor for the maids. They were also quite clothes conscious, especially women, work shop, sewing machines, and department shops had reduced the price of clothing, and middle-class families were sharply familiar of and exactly followed the rules of beautiful dress. They also wanted to present their children with the finest education possible. Daughters spent hours practicing piano, and tours of foreign countries after school were all carefully thought about big aspects of education. The middle classes also enjoyed proper behavior which ruled behavior and sense of right and wrong. Middle class families work hard, self-control, and personal action of accomplishing or completing something challenging were stressed. Anyone who performed a crime, or worse, fell into poorness,

The upper class of people who work hard and do not make a lot of money were as aware of people’s position in society as the middle class, and adopted having a unique quality, almost religiously strict action to isolate themselves from the lower class. The family and money-based advancement were important to them. Families saved money frequently, bothered about the education of their children and admired good housing.

Yet they did not hope to the middle class; but rather thought about themselves and natural leaders and pace setters of the class of people who work hard and do not make a lot of money. They were well aware of the moral lapses of those below them, and in order to preserve the difference, practiced a stern set of rules for right and wrong and self-control. They frowned on love and sex or heavy drinking

A Doll’s House Essay Topics & Samples

In this particular section, you can find excellent topics for A Doll’s House essay. You might be a tired student who is out of ideas. You may be a journalist who wants to write a piece about this great play. No matter what brought you here. Custom-Writing.org experts have created this guide to provide enough inspiration for everyone to keep on going!

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

Here, we put together the best A Doll’s House essay questions and topics supplemented with short prompts that give extra details. As a bonus, there are essay samples! Moreover, they are all related to the materials discussed in other parts of this guide, so don’t forget to check them out as well!

  • 🏆 Essay Questions
  • 💡 Essay Topics with Prompts
  • 📝 Essay Examples

🏆 A Doll’s House Essay Questions

  • A Doll’s House: what does the play’s title mean?
  • What do macaroons symbolize in A Doll’s House?
  • Is a Doll’s House a feminist play?
  • Why was Ibsen forced to create an alternate ending for A Doll’s House?
  • How does Nora Helmer change by the end of the play?
  • What is Nora’s secret in A Doll’s House?
  • Who is the antagonist in A Doll’s House?
  • What genre is A Doll’s House?
  • How did Ibsen use dramatic irony in A Doll’s House?
  • What is the theme of A Doll’s House?
  • Nora and Torvald: what is wrong with their relationship?
  • In what ways does Dr. Rank provide a contrast to Torvald?
  • What is the most wonderful thing that Nora Helmer talks about in the play’s last scene?

💡 A Doll’s House Essay Topics with Prompts

  • Describe your opinion about how realistic the play is. Usually, Ibsen’s play is viewed as realistic . However, there might be some contradictions. For example, all the literary devices the author uses. Metaphors and plenty of symbols don’t precisely align with realism in A Doll’s House . Consider both points of view and write an argumentative essay. 
  • How are gender roles in A Doll’s House represented? One of the central themes in the play is gender roles and feminism . Nora’s behavior is strongly identified with those issues as she tries to find the way out of her dependency. It wasn’t surprising back then for a woman to be an obedient, quiet wife who only takes care of the house and kids. Ibsen opens up this theme through Nora’s conflict. 
  • Write A Doll’s House character analysis. It is a rather generic theme, so you should think it through and pick one or more characters you wish to analyze. One of the options is to make a comparative analysis of two characters of your choice. If you are not sure where to begin, check out our complete guide to this play! 
  • Discuss the purpose and effects of dramatic irony in A Doll’s House . Ibsen uses irony in his play a few times. Even though it doesn’t really fit the definition of drama, which is A Doll’s House genre, it adds s excellent impression. Find the most prominent examples of this literary device and try to discuss why the author put it there. 
  • The theme of marriage and love in the play. It would be an argumentative essay on love in A Doll’s House . Ibsen highlights this theme as one of the most important. You may consider adding a few paragraphs about how characters other than Nora perceive love and the institution of marriage. 
  • What are the most prominent symbols in the play? Every literary piece has at least one symbol presented in it. Ibsen’s play is not an exception. The symbolism in A Doll’s House is tightly related to the central themes such as freedom and gender roles. Moreover, you should discuss their roles in the play and relevance back then. 
  • Mrs. Linde’s influence on Nora’s personal development. It seems like everything starts escalating with Mrs. Linde’s arrival in A Doll’s House . However, you would need to consider some indirect influence of that event. It appears that their first conversation might have brought some insights for Nora and promoted her transformation as well as self-realization. 
  • Compare and contrast A Doll’s House characters: Nora and Krogstad. This A Doll’s House essay should be focused mainly on the similarities between these two characters. They have both committed a crime to save their loved ones. Therefore, you need to consider how Nora and Krogstad feel about social rules and why they were so desperate. 
  • The theme of freedom in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House . Look into how the play’s characters use the word “freedom.” In this writing, you should focus on the differences between perspectives introduced by various characters. Moreover, it might be a good idea to mention the causes of such mindsets. For example, society at the time was quite influential. 
  • Discuss Torvald’s point of view on his life. As the play progresses, the audience might notice that Torvald’s perspective is somehow too idealistic. Even though A Doll’s House is supposed to be realistic, this character prefers imaginary life to the real world. Here, you need to find the moments when such Torvald’s traits are the most obvious and analyze them. 
  • When Mrs. Linde calls Nora a “child,” how does it reflect the truth? In one of the scenes, Mrs. Linde comments on Nora’s irresponsible and inappropriate behavior by calling her a “child.” However, no one truly knows Nora’s natural character and struggles. How fair is it to make such judgments?  
  • Look into an inheritance in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. How does the author describe the traits that characters inherit from their relatives? For example, Dr. Rank blames his father for having a disease that slowly kills him. Meanwhile, Nora’s relationship with her father was complicated to the point that even Torvald comments on it. 
  • What is the meaning behind the title of Ibsen’s play? A Doll’s House might as well hide a metaphor behind its title. Torvald often calls his wife his “doll.” How does it reflect their relationship? What is the correlation of the title to the central theme of gender roles? Nora doesn’t seem to feel free in her house and is getting more and more tired of those plays. 
  • How feminist is A Doll’s House ? Ibsen highlights gender roles’ theme in the play and reflects on the state of this issue back then. Even though the rise of feminism would happen years after its publication, the author had already introduced a character representing the movement . Discuss Nora’s liberation from her husband in this essay. 
  • Analyze the progression of Nora’s character in the play. Nora is not the only dynamic character in A Doll’s House . However, she is one who undergoes the most change. She goes from pretending to be an obedient and happy housewife to a woman who is ready to leave her family to seek independence and her true self. 
  • Write about the theme is self-sacrifice in Ibsen’s play. The central themes of A Doll’s House are gender roles, freedom, and marriage. However, there are some less popularly analyzed issues that Ibsen highlights. For instance, self-sacrifice appears to be a shared aspect amongst some characters. All female characters have experienced it, and some men in the play have gone through it as well. 

📝 A Doll’s House Essay Examples

  • Thorvald and Nora in A Doll’s House: Character Analysis
  • Theme and Conflict in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • The Role of Women in A Doll’s House
  • Historical Context of A Doll’s House
  • Characters in A Doll’s House: Analysis
  • Ibsen’s A Doll’s House: Critical Analysis
  • Symbolism in A Doll’s House
  • Nora in A Doll’s House: Character Analysis
  • Setting in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
  • The Role of Women in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
  • “Ghosts” vs. “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • Nora in “The Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

Thank you for reading this article! If you haven’t found the perfect title idea, try our topic-generating tool . Any questions left? Check the QA section ! 

  • Share to Facebook
  • Share to Twitter
  • Share to LinkedIn
  • Share to email

A Doll’s House Study Guide

The play may seem as a simple story about an average family. A husband thinks he’s a good family member, while his wife takes care of three children and is supposed to be charming and dependent. However, everything turns upside down when the truth is revealed. If you want to...

A Doll’s House Summary

If you’re looking for A Doll’s House summary, you’re in the right place. This page prepared by our experts contains a short play’s synopsis, an illustrated timeline, as well as detailed summaries of A Doll’s House act 1, act 2, and act 3. Let’s dive right in! ✂️ A Doll’s...

A Doll’s House Characters

Want to know more about A Doll’s House characters? Nora and Torvald, as well as minor characters in The Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, are discussed in this article by Custom-Writing.org experts. Let’s dive right in! 🗺️ A Doll’s House Character Map Below you’ll find A Doll’s House character map....

A Doll’s House Themes

Ibsen introduces quite a lot of serious topics in his play. The key themes in A Doll’s House are: love and marriage, money and work, feminism and gender roles. All of them are related to social issues that are still considered relevant nowadays. Gender roles and the way women stand...

A Doll’s House Analysis: Symbolism & Setting

On this page with A Doll’s House analysis, you can find a few aspects that may help you understand Ibsen’s work. Custom-Writing.org experts have prepared it for those who love getting into details. The first things to look into are A Doll’s House symbolism and literary devices since there may...

A Doll’s House Questions and Answers

In case you don’t have enough time to read out the complete guide on Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, this section can serve you well. There might be too much information available about this play, which is quite confusing and exhausting since it would take forever to go through all of...

In What Ways Does Dr. Rank Provide a Contrast to Torvald?

Dr. Rank is generally considered to be Torvald’s foil because of such different attitudes and behavior. The most sticking aspect is how the two men treat Nora. It is clear that Torvald doesn’t see his wife as an individual, which is one of the leading causes of her transformation. Meanwhile,...

Where Does A Doll’s House Take Place?

The setting of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is not totally clarified. It is only said that the play takes place in some city or town in Norway. Moreover, everything happens at Helmer’s house. There is a reason why the place is described so generally. Such a trick prevents the audience...

When Was A Doll’s House Written?

Henrik Ibsen wrote A Doll’s House in 1879. The same year the play was published and performed for the first time. It appeared to be a pretty revolutionary piece, from the perspective of both the perspective and genre. Ibsen’s play started up a trend for realistic writing. However, it wasn’t...

When Does A Doll’s House Take Place?

A Doll’s House takes place at the same time period as when it was written. Nowadays, we call it the Victorian era, since those were the years of Queen Victoria’s reign. That time was characterized by specific social norms that dictated how marriages and families should be run. Ibsen highlights...

Which Three Themes Are Present in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House?

There are quite a few themes that Ibsen highlights in his play. A Doll’s House is a unique mix of drama and realism, which allows the author to work on relevant and essential topics. Marriage, gender roles, money, and society are only a few of the themes that open up...

What Is A Doll’s House about?

A Doll’s House is Henrik Ibsen’s play which describes challenges that women of that time had to go through. We can only assume that this realistic piece was quite relevant in the Victorian era. The author pictures a life of an average Norwegian family that seems happy. However, everything starts...

What Is the Theme of A Doll’s House?

It would only be fair to claim that A Doll’s House‘s central theme is gender equality. Even though Ibsen masterfully raised many others, such as marriage and social code, they don’t seem to be as crucial in the play. Nora’s character represents the theme of gender roles and proves that...

Why Did European Audiences Find the Character Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Scandalous?

The mentality and perspective of people change with time. Therefore, we shouldn’t be shocked by the fact that the audience saw Nora as scandalous in the Victorian era. Back then, the whole of Europe had pretty traditional views on marriage, and women who leave their families behind just to self-explore...

What genre is A Doll’s House?

A Doll’s House is considered to be a drama. Ibsen presented it in the limits of one family. However, this issue concerns many people. At the same time, the play is also tragic, even though no character is shown dying. A Doll’s House introduces a conflict between an individual and...

What Is the Setting of A Doll’s House?

The play is set in some random Norwegian town in the Victorian age. No details are describing the exact location and time of the events. However, even that little information about the setting can give you some insight into Ibsen’s style and intentions. It appears to be vaguely described on...

Who Is Mrs. Linde in A Doll’s House?

Mrs. Linde is Nora’s old friend who unexpectedly shows up at Helmer’s house at the beginning of the play. Her husband died, leaving her without any money, so she comes to ask for a job. She seems to be a sensible and understanding woman yet following the generally accepted social...

When Was A Doll’s House First Performed?

It didn’t take long for the play to go out to the public. A Doll’s House was first performed in December 1879, the same year Ibsen finished it. The Royal Theatre in Copenhagen was honored to offer the stage for it. Even though Henrik Ibsen was quite popular, this play...

What Is Nora’s Secret in A Doll’s House?

Nora is the main character of the play, and we get to find out about her secret when Mrs. Linde comes to have a chat with her. It appears that Nora borrowed a large sum of money from Krogstad to pay for the trip to Italy. It was the only...

How Is A Doll’s House Relevant Today?

A Doll’s House was written and presented to the public in 1879. It was a time when women had few rights. Ibsen used it as the central theme for his play, which was met with some criticism. However, we can’t ignore that the social issues he highlights weren’t relative back...

How Does A Doll’s House End?

A Doll’s House ending was considered somewhat scandalous back in the Victorian age. At the time, when women were supposed to be obedient wives and take care of the family, Nora’s decision to leave everything behind was not exactly socially acceptable. She chose independence and the path to self-discovery over...

IMAGES

  1. A Doll's House Essay

    examples of essays on a doll's house

  2. ≫ Analysis of "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen Free Essay Sample on

    examples of essays on a doll's house

  3. KCSE SET BOOKS ESSAY QUESTIONS and ANSWERS : HOW TO WRITE A DOLL'S

    examples of essays on a doll's house

  4. A Doll's House

    examples of essays on a doll's house

  5. A Doll's House Essay Questions and Sample Essays

    examples of essays on a doll's house

  6. Ibsen A Doll's House

    examples of essays on a doll's house

VIDEO

  1. A Doll's House Short Video Summary

  2. A Doll's house by Henrik Ibsen summary

  3. Ibsen: A Doll's House

  4. REACTION VIDEO “A DOLL’S HOUSE” by Henrik Ibsen

  5. Yass or Pass? #23 Let's Chat New Fashion Doll Releases! (Barbie, Rainbow High, Monster High & More!)

  6. Nora's Dance #dollshouse scene work #music #theatre #performance #wednesday #drama

COMMENTS

  1. 113 A Doll's House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Positive Role Model in "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. To sum up, A Doll's House presents the harsh life of the mother and wife, Nora, who is trapped with her husband with no choices and goals. The Change of Gender Roles. This similarity is one of the most important to focus on the structure of the narrative.

  2. A Doll's House: Mini Essays

    Mini Essays. Compare Torvald's and Nora's attitudes toward money. Torvald and Nora's first conversation establishes Torvald as the member of the household who makes and controls the money and Nora as the one who spends it. Torvald repeatedly teases Nora about her spending, and at one point Mrs. Linde points out that Nora was a big spender ...

  3. A Doll's House Essay Essay

    A Doll's House is a play about power, money, guilt, duty, and family relationships. A Doll's House starts with Mrs. Nora Helmer who decides that her family should have an evening at home to celebrate Torvald's birthday even though there are various outside activities planned earlier on that day. After getting all the children to bed Nora ...

  4. Essays on A Doll's House

    3 pages / 1537 words. Henrik Ibsen's renowned play, A Doll's House, is widely recognized as a feminist work. The play delves into the seemingly perfect life of the Helmers, Nora and Torvald. Nora is beautiful, charming, and sweet, and Torvald is a successful and wealthy banker.

  5. Main Characters in a Doll's House: [Essay Example], 574 words

    Henrik Ibsen's play, A Doll's House, is a thought-provoking piece of literature that delves into the complex dynamics of marriage, gender roles, and societal expectations. The main characters in the play, Nora Helmer, Torvald Helmer, and Nils Krogstad, each play a crucial role in the development of the plot and the exploration of these themes.

  6. 117 A Doll's House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    The play explores themes of societal expectations, gender roles, and the pursuit of individuality. If you are tasked with writing an essay on A Doll's House, here are 117 topic ideas and examples to help you get started. Analyze the character development of Nora Helmer throughout the play. Discover a plethora of thought-provoking essay topics ...

  7. A Doll's House Critical Essays

    Essays and criticism on Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House - Critical Essays. ... Some early critics viewed Nora as a prime example of the "new woman," a breed seeking independence and self ...

  8. A Doll's House Essays

    A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. ... , 2763 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, "Members Only" section of the site! Membership includes a 10 ...

  9. The Inner Revolution of Nora in a Doll's House

    When Nora Helmer slammed the door shut on her doll's house in 1879, her message sent shockwaves around the world that persist to this day. "I must stand quite alone," Nora declares, "if I am to understand myself and everything about me" (Ibsen 64). After years of playing the role of a superficial doll, Nora transforms into an assertive and determined woman.

  10. A Doll's House Essay Examples

    A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen: Feminism Issues and the Oppression of Women. Feminism is both a belief and a movement that tries to define and establish the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes. It advocates women's rights on the ground of the equality of sexes in all aspects of life.

  11. A Doll's House Essay Example

    I. Thesis. Justice and injustice in the relationships between the main characters of A Doll's House. II. The transformation of Nora's expectations for the future. a) The husband's career promotion and Nora's hopes for a better future. b) Mrs. Linde asks for Torvald's assistance in applying for a position in the bank. c) Nora's secret.

  12. Essay on A Doll's House

    She is Torvald's loving and childish wife, and unknowingly, a strong, independent woman. As the play progresses, Nora's persona shifts from that of the everyday playful, trophy wife seen by Torvald and friends, to that of a self-empowering, willing woman. Nora's first impression on the audience is of an obedient, money-loving, childish wife.

  13. A Doll's House' Argumentative Essay

    A Doll's House' Argumentative Essay. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. White lies are often justified morally by the logic that the recipient is being protected by the lie. In the case of an obedient housewife, it was the unveiling of ...

  14. A Doll's House' Theme Essay

    A Doll's House' Theme Essay. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Life is an inconsistency. It is excellent and hard. It is the confinement along with the opportunities.

  15. "A Doll's House": Symbolism of Freedom and Rebellion

    Henrik Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" is a groundbreaking work of literature that has been analyzed and dissected by scholars and critics for decades. One of the key elements that make this play so compelling is its effective use of symbolism. Throughout the play, Ibsen employs various symbols to convey deeper meanings and themes, such as the ...

  16. A Doll's House Essay Examples

    The Controversy Over The Role and Gender of Women in "A Doll's House" Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) made a real name for himself in the mid-nineteenth century when he tackled the traditional marriage model and the role of the woman in the home with the play A Doll's House, first performed in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 1879.

  17. A Doll's House: Suggested Essay Topics

    4. Compare Nora and Krogstad. Are there any similarities between them, especially as far as their relationship to society is concerned? 5. How do the characters in A Doll's House use the words "free" and "freedom"? Do different speakers use the terms differently? Do they take on different connotations over the course of the play?

  18. "A Doll's House" Analysis: The Role of Deception and Betrayal

    A Doll's House literary analysis (essay) Ibsen's "A Doll's House" is a thought-provoking play that tackles significant social issues such as gender roles, marriage, and societal expectations. Through the character of Nora, Ibsen presents a woman who is struggling to find her identity in a society that places strict limitations on women.

  19. A Doll's House Essay Topics & Samples

    This A Doll's House essay should be focused mainly on the similarities between these two characters. They have both committed a crime to save their loved ones. Therefore, you need to consider how Nora and Krogstad feel about social rules and why they were so desperate. The theme of freedom in Ibsen's A Doll's House.

  20. Theatre Critique of 'A Doll's House': Essay Example

    Download. Henrik Ibsen's theatre production 'A Doll's House' is a literary masterpiece that captivates the audience through its complex plot that follows a struggling marriage that is riddled with dishonesty and the main character's journey to self-discovery and empowerment. The production of 'A Doll's House' follows the story of a ...

  21. Find A Doll's House Essay

    The Peculiarities Of Social Issues In The Play A Doll's House. This essay is a critical examination of the play, A Doll's House composed by a Norwegian dramatist Ibsen Henrik on 21 December 1879. It considered being the most well known of the scholars play and has been perused in numerous foundations of learning.