tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339801051690438515.post3938040539701999420..comments2023-06-04T11:32:59.130-04:00Comments on Bob's Theater Blog: A Doll’s House, Part 2Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339801051690438515.post-53265139794943004772017-04-21T15:05:39.091-04:002017-04-21T15:05:39.091-04:00I'm glad you liked it.I'm glad you liked it.<br />Gotham Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00020532670255090570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339801051690438515.post-67742330159824699522017-04-21T13:16:32.020-04:002017-04-21T13:16:32.020-04:00Thanks Bob. I really enjoyed this play !Thanks Bob. I really enjoyed this play !Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141321636644753550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339801051690438515.post-5374714209499489822017-04-21T12:53:54.039-04:002017-04-21T12:53:54.039-04:00Thanks for sharing your interesting observations.
...Thanks for sharing your interesting observations.<br />Gotham Playgoerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00020532670255090570noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4339801051690438515.post-35805858330928358872017-04-21T10:37:34.306-04:002017-04-21T10:37:34.306-04:00There are two details that seemed to be missing in...There are two details that seemed to be missing in the plot—although it’s possible I missed hearing lines that would have cleared them up. Nora returns after 15 years to ask Torvald to give her a divorce because she learned from a pending legal action that she’s still married to him; moreover, under Norway’s oppressive anti-feminist laws she has committed a crime (for not having had her husband’s permission to do her writing); the “crime” will destroy her career and her wealth. But doesn't she need more than a mere divorce? She needs either (1) a divorce dated 15 years earlier because even if Torvald grants her one now (in 1894), she will still have been married at the time she violated the laws; or (2) some other convincing proof that she really thought she was divorced for the entire time. Moreover, we’re told that Torvald will face public scorn and loss of employment if his society, which has believed since 1879 that Nora had died away from home, learns—as it will when he files divorce papers—that her death was a lie. Even in 1894 Norway, whatever scandal befalls a prominent woman author exposed for violating the law will eventually ensnare her husband: in other words, Nora’s exposure before the play will ruin Torvald no matter what; Nora can “survive,” but only if her divorce is (fraudulently) dated 1879. If I am correct about these plot points, then the characters are focusing their energies on matters that are already beyond their control. Nora’s tearing up the divorce papers may be an act emotionally equivalent to walking out the door 15 years earlier, but with the wrong date on it, it’s usefulness is questionable. And she could always get another copy because it’s registered at the town hall. Philiphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17692674172804292272noreply@blogger.com