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hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
Minor: Sexual harassment and Classism
shadow_cat94's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This play takes you through a woman's disillusionment in her marriage after her "act of pride" has come back to bite her as blackmail. Nora's eyes are opened to the belittling her husband constantly gives her, the lack of respect she receives, and how she's only appreciated for her looks rather than what she says or does for her family.
This play looks at what people are willing to do for their reputation, gender differences between men and women in the 1870s, deceit within values and how characters view it in a black/white or grey manner, love, and more.
This play looks at what people are willing to do for their reputation, gender differences between men and women in the 1870s, deceit within values and how characters view it in a black/white or grey manner, love, and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Abandonment
Minor: Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Classism
gkcnoble's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
[Torvald] HELMER.
[following her]. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? [Taking out his purse.] Nora, what do you think I have got here?
NORA.
[turning round quickly]. Money!
HELMER.
There you are. [Gives her some money.] Do you think I don’t know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time?
NORA.
[counting]. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.
HELMER. Indeed it must.
NORA.
Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.
Pp 6
In A Doll’s House Ibsen explores the complexities of the Victorian era through Torvald and Nora Helmer’s porcelain marriage. Ibsen’s play serves as a brutal metaphor for the fragile nature of the Victorian patriarchal society, highlighting the constraints placed on women's autonomy. Ibsen red-flags the obstacles women face in surviving a legal system that predominantly favours men in areas such as marriage, divorce, financial control, and child custody. Nora, for instance, assumes the role of a brainless, superficial wife to meet her husband's expectations, all the while secretly borrowing money to maintain the family's financial stability. As expected, men are not exempted from the patriarchal belief system, which hinders individuals like Torvald from loving Nora as an equal. He diminishes Nora’s sex, labels her a ‘skylark’, a ‘squirrel’, and ‘sweet little spendthrift’, and then emotionally blackmails her when she points out his flaws. In Torvald’s eyes, Nora is both a pretty doll satisfying his caprices and a nail upholding the androcentric hierarchy. However, by the play's conclusion, Nora outwits Torvald, no longer allowing herself to be subjected to his tyranny.
Ibsen’s play embodies the ‘undomesticated’ spirit of renowned feminist and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft (1792), who once said: "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."
[following her]. Come, come, my little skylark must not droop her wings. What is this! Is my little squirrel out of temper? [Taking out his purse.] Nora, what do you think I have got here?
NORA.
[turning round quickly]. Money!
HELMER.
There you are. [Gives her some money.] Do you think I don’t know what a lot is wanted for housekeeping at Christmas-time?
NORA.
[counting]. Ten shillings—a pound—two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald; that will keep me going for a long time.
HELMER. Indeed it must.
NORA.
Yes, yes, it will. But come here and let me show you what I have bought. And all so cheap! Look, here is a new suit for Ivar, and a sword; and a horse and a trumpet for Bob; and a doll and dolly’s bedstead for Emmy,—they are very plain, but anyway she will soon break them in pieces. And here are dress-lengths and handkerchiefs for the maids; old Anne ought really to have something better.
Pp 6
In A Doll’s House Ibsen explores the complexities of the Victorian era through Torvald and Nora Helmer’s porcelain marriage. Ibsen’s play serves as a brutal metaphor for the fragile nature of the Victorian patriarchal society, highlighting the constraints placed on women's autonomy. Ibsen red-flags the obstacles women face in surviving a legal system that predominantly favours men in areas such as marriage, divorce, financial control, and child custody. Nora, for instance, assumes the role of a brainless, superficial wife to meet her husband's expectations, all the while secretly borrowing money to maintain the family's financial stability. As expected, men are not exempted from the patriarchal belief system, which hinders individuals like Torvald from loving Nora as an equal. He diminishes Nora’s sex, labels her a ‘skylark’, a ‘squirrel’, and ‘sweet little spendthrift’, and then emotionally blackmails her when she points out his flaws. In Torvald’s eyes, Nora is both a pretty doll satisfying his caprices and a nail upholding the androcentric hierarchy. However, by the play's conclusion, Nora outwits Torvald, no longer allowing herself to be subjected to his tyranny.
Ibsen’s play embodies the ‘undomesticated’ spirit of renowned feminist and advocate of women's rights, Mary Wollstonecraft (1792), who once said: "I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Classism
roxanne_beznosiuk's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Read it for school. Was rather enjoyable :3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Classism
theaceofpages's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I can't say I was a big fan of this book. The characters were annoying and the writing didn't particularly captivate me. I can, however, admire what this work set out to do and the extremally unusual and complex female representation for the time. I can, for example, admire Nora's strength even though I don't like her. I do wonder how much of that is her having to suppress herself because of the times and bow things have changed since. I do also wonder how much of that was narrative choice (I listened to an audiobook. While this was of high quality, I did get annoyed at the ways the characters spoke at times). I can see why some people love this book, but unfortunately it wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Classism
grayscale08's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Cursing, Sexual assault, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
char_wynne's review against another edition
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism