A DOLL’S HOUSE

By the end of this unit, students will be able to: discuss the play in the social and historical context of its time; explain the concept of the "well-made play" and show how A Doll’s House both adheres to the formula and departs from it; diagram Freytag’s pyramid and assign plot elements from the play to each element of the pyramid; define the terms round character, flat character, dynamic character, static character, stock character, and foil, and give an example of each in the play, stating the rationale for the assignments; identify the protagonist and the antagonist of the play, and explain the basis for the choices; discuss the importance of irony and foreshadowing in the play, citing examples; discuss the play in terms of feminist criticism; place the play in the context of the movement for women’s suffrage and the emerging societal reevaluation of women’s place in society; explain Ibsen’s use of language and his handling of figurative language; analyze the characters of Helmer and Nora individually and in relation to each other; and trace Nora’s awakening sense of herself and discuss the realizations that drove her to the choice she makes at the end of the play. 80 pages. ©2006.