Study Questions

A Doll's House

In order to prepare for the final exam, thoroughly answer each of the questions below. Look at the essay topics below, choose one for your exam essay, and prepare an outline. Read through all your notes and study your study questions.

• 1. Describe Mrs. Linde’s character. What is her role in the play?

  2. Define dramatic irony. Give two examples of irony from the play and explain why they are ironic.

  3. Why is the play titled A Doll’s House?

  4. What is the social commentary that Ibsen gives through this play?

  5. Define foil. Give several examples. Choose one to explain.

  6. What is the symbolism of the tarantella?

  7. Reflect on the significance of Krogstad’s second letter.

  8. Reflect on Ibsen’s contrast between appearance and reality in the play.

  9. What does Nora’s decision at the end of the play suggest about her character?

  10. How does Krogstad change by the end of the play? What does Ibsen suggest about humanity through this transformation?

  11. Reflect on the final line of the play: is there any hope?

  12. Is this a cynical, depressing play, or does Ibsen have something positive to suggest about society? Explain.

  13. Analyze the concept of “the wonderful thing” in this play.

  14. List several themes from the play and explain them.

  15. Analyze Torvald’s view of marriage.

  16. What are Torvald’s greatest strengths? Weaknesses?

  17. Did Nora contribute to her childlike position in her marriage? If so, how should she have behaved differently?

  18. Explain why you agree or disagree with Nora’s decision at the end of the play.

Essay Topics:

• 1. Character Analysis: Analyze Nora’s transformation. What is she like at the beginning of the play? What is she like at the end? How do several characters in the play influence her change? What themes does Ibsen develop through Nora’s character? Use direct quotations from the play to support your claims.

  2. Comparison: Choose two characters to compare and contrast. How are they similar, how are they different? Analyze a theme that Ibsen develops through the contrast of these two characters. Use direct quotations from the play to support your claims.