A DOLL’S HOUSE STUDY GUIDE
A DOLL’S HOUSE STUDY GUIDE (DOWNLOAD)
Synopsis and Summary – A Doll’s House Study Guide
Synopsis
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen follows Nora Helmer, a woman living a seemingly idyllic life as a devoted wife and mother. However, beneath the surface, Nora harbors a secret: years earlier, she forged her father’s signature to secure a loan from Krogstad, a disreputable man, to save her husband Torvald’s life. Since then, she has struggled to repay the debt in secret. When Torvald is promoted to bank manager, Nora hopes to finally settle the loan, but her plans unravel when Krogstad, threatened with losing his job, blackmails her. As Nora fights to protect her family, she begins to question the foundations of her marriage, her identity, and the societal expectations placed upon her. The play culminates in Nora’s dramatic decision to leave her husband and children in search of self-discovery and independence.
Short Summary:
In A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer’s life unravels when a past secret—a forged loan to save her husband—threatens her family. As she confronts blackmail and societal expectations, Nora awakens to the constraints of her marriage and chooses to leave, seeking freedom and self-identity. Ibsen’s play explores themes of gender roles, individuality, and societal norms.