Lecture notes Drama and poetry pre-1900 (H072) THE GREAT GATSBY (1925 Edition)

A Doll’s House Critical Reception by Character

Quote/Reception Themes
Nora Puts ‘love before legality’ – Sophia Duncan New Woman, Love

Nora opposes ‘the demands of a hostile society’ – Ledger (f) N.W, power?

Critics saw her actions as ‘shocking and scandalous for a woman’ – Cron N.W, social norms

‘A daring defiance of cultural norms of the time’ - Johnston N.W, social norms

Marriage was ‘the worst form of woman purchase’ – Mona Caird (f) Patriarchy, social norms

Nora is a ‘heartless flirt’ – Crawford Patriarchy, social norms

She is a ‘monster and unnatural woman’ – Long, contemporary reaction N.W, weakness, patriarchy

‘There are thousands of such doll-homes’ – Social-Demokraten N.W, patriarchy, social norms

Patriarchy, social norms
Torvald Ibsen makes ‘Torvald grotesque, and reduces the tragic quality of the play’ – Gray Patriarchy

Torvald’s words are ‘belittlement covered by affection’ – Rogers Patriarchy, social norms

‘The husband absolute over his wife’ – Perking Patriarchy

‘Helmer is shown to be weak’ – Meyers N.W, social change?

‘Torvald’s apparent strength is wholly dependent on Nora’s weakness’ - McNamara Patriarchy, power, women.