A Doll's House Paperback – 9 Jun. 2016

In writing this review my aim is to demonstrate that Torvald has been, in my opinion, the recipient of much harsh criticism. At the risk of sounding chauvinistic I would like to demonstrate that he is in fact a misunderstood man who deserves both our pity and sympathy. Indeed,the more we are with him the more we realise that he presents a classic case of a person with a serious neurosis. All the evidence would seem to be pointing towards a personality Freud would have considered as obsessional; a condition he thought likely to occur in dedicated and successful people.His persona has all the attributes of a man with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He is intelligent; a workaholic' scrupulously honest and obsessed by the need for order and probity both in the home and in society, Indeed he feels that without these virtues society is on the edge of an abyss.As the play proceeds we become increasingly aware of his obsessive attitudes to thrift and honesty. Let us not forget that he was formerly a lawyer and is now a bank manager with a position in society. Also like many other men of his time he feels the need as paterfamilias to be in control of his household and the domestic economy. His role is of course is one that is re-enforced by society through its laws and customsIf further proof were needed of Torvald's neurosis we learn in a disclosure from Nora to Mrs. Linde that the doctors had informed that her husband needed a complete break. He was suffering they said from nervous exhaustion brought on by overwork and his own impossibly high standardsAt the denouement of this play we can now understand Torvalds's state of mind, His abhorrence at being obliged to a man he considers to be an unscrupulous, unethical rogue. Also his bitter disappointment with Nora for committing the unspeakable act of forgery. Sadly, the world as he knew it seemed meaningless; his reputation in tatters.The final moments of the play are poignant. For once Nora takes the initiative. She tells Torvald that it would take a miracle to save their relationship and that she no longer believed in them. She leaves, abandoning both him and her her children. In the dying moments of the play Torvald looks around him The stage directions say that hope flashes across his face.. Ibsen's use of the word flashes is interesting; suggesting a momentary illumination The door slams The illumination is extinguished.Hope dies. This indeed is not Nora's triumphal moment. We are witnessing a tragedy affecting two lives

All that's good in this production is due to Ibsen. The child singing is embarrassing, the leading lady was unfamiliar with props and set, and the diction of the child 'actors' was appalling...there's so much that's underrehearsed and sloppy. All four stars are for the play, the message of which shone through regardless. Five stars would mean it hadn't suffered the butchery by its being 'adapted'.

Ordered this as I needed it for my A Level English,not really too much to say about the product other then it came earlier than expected (nice surprise) and without any faults. The book was in perfect condition upon arrival,none of the text was missing/faded and like I said delivery was earlier then expected.The only small problem with the book is the durability,after being in my bag for a few months being chucked around the spine has started to rip/crease along with the front cover-however this is to be expected considering it's paperback and is being extensively used. Overall a great purchase!

Good

I recently studied this text for part of my A level drama coursework and found that there are literally no versions of Ibsen's "A Doll's House" on DVD!This interpretation is gripping, tense and captures the characters well. The lines may differ from the script at a few moments but watching this DVD was invaluable research for my exam. If your studying this I would highly recommend it, not just because it is the only version available but because its good!The cover image makes it appear a black and white film - this is not the case, the film is in colour and is very well shot.

This is a good film, the acting is wonderful. Claire Bloom and Anthony Hopkins, how could one expect anything else? But it isn't Ibsen. The dialogue wanders away from what Ibsen wrote, and Torvald, in particular, is far more sympathetic in this film than Ibsen imagined him. The dramatic impact of Nora leaving him is muted, and Torvald's failing, treating her as a doll wife is not really brought home. It is a wonderful film, but it isn't what Ibsen intended. I enjoyed this film. Don't let me put you off. It is a very rewarding film.

Purchased for school as part of English.Arrived quickly.Plenty of study guides available

The book/ play fulfills it's purpose.The paper however is a bit thin- it's okay if you want to read it, however my main reason to buying this was so that I could write on it and make notes... so if you're buying it to write notes on then you may have to write on it in pencil...I think pen shows through onto the other side a little.However, for the price it's cheap,cheap cheap.