Revision Cards - A Doll's House: A Level, Structure, form and language

Revise the key points

The structure Ibsen took over from popular drama had three stages.
Exposition – imparting essential information at the start of the play.
Development and complication – the action becoming more complex and exciting as the story unfolds.
Dénouement – secrets are revealed, the plot reaches a climax and the play concludes.

Structure, form and language

A Doll's House: A Level

Ibsen was a pioneer of this style, which aimed to present on stage an imitation of a real environment.
His characters use colloquial, rather than poetic or heightened speech.
They show how they are affected by their environment – Nora behaves as the men around her have taught her to.
Actors largely ignore the audience – it is like watching a room with one wall removed.

Structure, form and language

A Doll's House: A Level

Characters often express feelings through coded speech, silence, or actions.
Nora and Rank discuss sexual disease in code, showing their sophistication and willingness to defy convention.
Subtext lets them flirt, but also to say a solemn last goodbye in Act 3 as Nora lights Rank’s cigar.
The tarantella reveals the feelings about her situation Nora cannot express in words.

Structure, form and language

A Doll's House: A Level

Ibsen uses physical comedy and witty banter as well as showing a capacity for silliness in both Nora and Helmer.
This generates affection for them as well as enlivening the action.
Comedy allows ironic comment on some serious debate, as when the guests talk about morality and gobble forbidden macaroons.
The power of the ending is intensified when Helmer’s comically pompous ‘forgiveness’ is followed by Nora’s entrance in street clothes, ready to leave.

Structure, form and language

A Doll's House: A Level

The play uses images of darkness and light, moving from morning to near-dawn, symbolising Nora’s transition into an ‘enlightened’ state.
Light is used as a symbol of moral illumination. Nora calls for a lamp to cut short Rank’s professions of love and her own intention to exploit it.
The Christmas tree symbolises festivity and the family. It reflects Nora’s fortunes, first decorated and bright, then burnt out.
The Capri dress symbolises Helmer’s desire to control Nora, literally dressing her like a doll.