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2/4 ANALYTICAL ESSAY
A DOLL’S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen
English IV/UV
2/4 Structure
- Introduction – topic sentence; summary sentences that include author, title and genre; thesis – must be arguable; 2 proofs
- 2 Body Paragraphs – evidence must include relevant and adequate textual examples, quote support and commentary; transition smoothly between ideas; connect to both proof and also thesis
- Conclusion – restate thesis; summarize main points of essay; end with a strong and memorable final sentence
- Mechanics – proofread for spelling/typos; maintain 3rd person voice throughout; check for pronoun ambiguity/agreement; maintain verb tense consistency etc.
Thesis Guidelines:
A thesis is a statement that can be argued and successfully proven with textual evidence. It is not a statement of fact, but rather a statement of opinion.
Possible thesis options for A Doll’s House:
Character driven essays:
- Consider the character of Torvald. Is Torvald an antagonist? A misogynist (man who hates women)? A victim of 19th century social norms? Although Torvald presents himself as a confident man, is he really insecure?
- Consider the character of Nora. Is Nora a product of society, a doll in a doll’s house? Is Nora a tragic hero? Is Nora a rite-of-passage character? Is Nora responsible for own her problems? Does Nora make the right decision to leave her family at the end of the play?
- Consider the character of Dr. Rank. Why did Ibsen create the character of Dr. Rank? How is he a foil for Torvald?
- Consider the character of Kristina. Why did Ibsen create the character of Kristina? How is she a foil for Nora?
Thematic Connections:
- Identify a theme from the play and formulate a thesis around it i.e. One of the messages of A Doll’s House is that …..
truth can be both constructive and destructive
people often prefer illusion to reality
appearances can be deceiving
- other thematic connections revolve around:
respect and the value of reputation
deceit and lies
the importance of money
men and masculinity
women and femininity
concept of home
Social Commentary:
- What comment is Ibsen making about 19th century society? Does he criticize this society? How so? Possible ideas: gender roles, pressure for men to achieve success and maintain a good reputation, little opportunities for married and unmarried women (consider Nora, Kristina and Nanny), love/marriage.