My Intial Response to A Doll's House

My initial response to the text as a whole would be a mixed one. Personally I didn’t find the play dull in parts, though overall it was interesting. I found it dull because, it seemed to me (with the greatest respect) to be a very long, middle class, dated episode of a soap opera. I felt no sympathy for the characters and as a result I feel the play lacked emotional conviction, this may be partly contributed to, by the fact that these situations a really no longer applicable or relatable. I also feel that moments where we were supposed to feel pity for the character, I found I didn’t. For example during the end outburst by Nora, I think we were probably supposed to feel sorry for her, instead I though her actions were vastly unjustified and highly immoral. I think the way Ibsen explored the social proprieties around 19th century marriage was interesting and skilful, though personally I felt myself disagree with a lot of his notions. With personal opinions aside I think the play its self, although a little dull at points, was ingenious and so well thought out. It seemed to have a deeper philosophical feel to it which is reflected within the title. I think he was looking at the norms of these kinds of marriages as well as the fleetingness of all we hold dear e.g. Dr. Rank died rather suddenly and the Nora left her family also rather suddenly.