A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen - Assignment Example

It criticised the attitude towards marriage prevalent in the 19th century (Krutch, 1953).Ibsen wrote the play drawing inspiration from his real time friend Laura Kieler a successful writer herself (Tornquvist, 1995). Nora, the heroine of Ibsen's play chooses to abandon her family and children for the sake of self-respect and self-search. This climax raised several agitations among the then conservative society. Ibsen was widely acclaimed for supporting the sprouting women rights organizations.

But, he promptly denied any claim of honour for contributing to the movement and declared his play was just "the description of humanity". Ibsen's A Doll's House is considered as the first play to portray realism on stage, rather than stage historic and epical events. The play created a whole new wave, which led to the production of several realism related plays in the 18th century. Ibsen acquired international fame with his other plays like 'Ghosts' in 1881 and 'An Enemy of the People' in 1882.

Ibsen had a unique talent to explore the psychological side of the normal people. He always made his characters do what the normal people do not dare to do in real life fearing practical difficulties. Ibsen's later plays like Wild Duck and Hedda Gabler concentrated on psychology and various inner secrets in the human mind. As Michael Meyer claims, even ‘A Doll's House’ do not entirely stand for women's rights. . The alternative ending was shown in many theatres especially in Germany. The film version of the play portrays Nora as a simple woman just like in the play.

The scenes where Trovald refers to Nora as a "sulky squirrel" in the play was omitted in the film. Nora is shown conversing with the delivery boy in the play. But, there is no such scene in the movie. The relationship between Kristine and Nora is displayed as a very formal one in the movie while a little depth is added to the same via wordings and gestures in the play. Nora is not shown elaborating much about her secret to Kristine in the movie. A Doll's House was filmed several times into feature films and TV adaptations.

The most prominent one among them is the 1959 TV version created by George Schaefer. Julie Harris plays Nora Helmer the main protagonist and the part Trovald Helmer her husband is played by Christopher Plummer. The film has only two acts in contrast with the play which has three acts. The background, sets and the portrayal of the house in the movie are very much similar to the descriptions in the play. The wording and dialogue are nearly the same except for few minor differences. Nora is shown entering the house with her three children in the movie while her children are introduced much later in the play.

Krogstad, depicted as an immoral man, blackmailing Nora is shown is portrayed as a much lighter character in the movie. He simply pushes her hard to save his own employment, but gives in when he finds the love of his life in Kristine. Trovald Helmer is portrayed as a dominating husband who tries hard to retain his position as the head of the household. His confusion and helplessness when Nora walks out on him is displayed beautifully by Christopher Plummer. Antony