Lecture Drama II - Modern drama: Lecture 29 - Dr Irum Zulfiqar - Trường Đại học Công nghiệp Thực phẩm Tp. Hồ Chí Minh

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DRAMA II

Modern Drama | An

OVERVIEW

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SYNOPSIS

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Functions and

Characteristics of Modern

Drama

 mirrors the complex struggle of life
 the inspiration is to seek truth

 either to become part of the process or

be left behind

 This is the social significance which

differentiates modern dramatic art from
art for art’s sake.

 It is the dynamite which undermines 

superstition, shakes the social pillars, and 
prepares men and women for the 

reconstruction.

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The Role of Scandinavian Drama 

 “The State is the curse of the individual.

How has the national strength of Prussia
been purchased? By the sinking of the
individual in a political and geographical
formula... The State must go! That will
be a revolution which will find me on its
side. Undermine the idea of the State,
set up in its place spontaneous action,
and the idea that spiritual relationship is
the only thing that makes for unity, and
you will start the elements of a liberty
which will be something worth

possessing.”

(Henrik Ibsen )

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Ibsen’s Work

What Writer’s Have Said About Henrik Ibsen:

“All of Ibsen is _{visionary drama}… His

mastery of _inwardness is second only to

Shakespeare’s.” — Harold Bloom

“Had the _gospel ofIbsen been _understood
and _heeded, these _{fifteen millions}might
have been alive now.” — George

Bernard Shaw (Discussing the loss of life
during World War I)

“His characters may hate one another or
be happy together, but they will _generate

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II. Characters and

Characterization

1. Nora –

. The protagonist of the play and the wife

of Torvald Helmer.

. a playful, naïve child who lacks

knowledge of the world outside her
home

. not as innocent or happy as she

appears.

. In the end she finds her position in her

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2. Torvald Helmer –

 Nora’s husband.

 Torvald delights in his new position at

the bank, just as he delights in his
position of authority as a husband.

 He treats Nora like a child, in a manner

that is both kind and patronizing.

 He does not view Nora as an equal but

rather as a plaything or doll to be teased
and admired.

 In general, Torvald is overly concerned

with his place and status in society, and
he allows his emotions to be swayed

heavily by the prospect of society’s

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3. Krogstad –

 A lawyer who went to school with Torvald

and holds a subordinate position at

Torvald’s bank.

 Krogstad’s character is contradictory:

though his bad deeds seem to stem from
a desire to protect his children from

scorn, he is perfectly willing to use

unethical tactics to achieve his goals.

 His willingness to allow Nora to suffer is

despicable, but his claims to feel
sympathy for her and the hard

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4. Mrs. Linde –

 Nora’s childhood friend.

 Kristine Linde is a practical,

down-to-earth woman, and her sensible

worldview highlights Nora’s somewhat
childlike outlook on life.

 Mrs. Linde’s account of her life of

poverty underscores the privileged

nature of the life that Nora leads.

 we also learn that Mrs. Linde took

responsibility for her sick parent,

whereas Nora abandoned her father
when he was ill.

5. Dr. Rank –

 Torvald’s best friend.

 Dr. Rank stands out as the one character

in the play who is by and large

unconcerned with what others think of
him.

 He is also notable for his stoic

acceptance of his fate.

 Unlike Torvald and Nora, Dr. Rank admits

to the diseased nature (literally, in his
case) of his life.

 For the most part, he avoids talking to

Torvald about his imminent death out of
respect for Torvald’s distaste for

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6. Bob, Emmy, and Ivar

–



Nora and Torvald’s

three small children.



In her brief interaction

with her children, Nora

shows herself to be a

loving mother.



When she later refuses

to spend time with her

children because she

fears she may morally

corrupt them

7. Anne­Marie

–



The Helmers’ nanny.



Though Ibsen doesn’t

fully develop her

character, Anne-Marie

seems to be a kindly

woman who has

genuine affection for

Nora.



She had to give up her

own daughter in order

to take the nursing job

offered by Nora’s father.



Thus, she shares with

Nora and Mrs. Linde the

act of sacrificing her

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