Topic 1: Henrik Ibsen
– Find an image of Ibsen.
– Find some information about his upbringing and education.
He grew up in the small Norwegian coastal town of Skien as the oldest of five children born to Knud and Marichen Ibsen. His father was a successful merchant and his mother painted, played the piano and loved to go to the theater.Ibsen moved to Christiania (later known as Oslo) in 1850 to prepare for university examinations to study at the University of Christiania.
– Describe the three phases of his dramatic works.
The first ending in 1877 with the successful appearance of The Pillars of Society; the second covering the years in which he wrote most of the dramas of protest against social conditions, such as Ghosts; and the third marked by the symbolic plays, The Master Builder and When We Dead Awaken.
– Explain why he is considered the pioneer of modern drama.
Ibsen rose to prominence in large part because of his refusal to follow the rules of theatre at the time. His determination to forge his own style of drama coincided with a rising demand by the new intelligentsia for a serious “thinking” theatre, contrary to the frivolous entertainment on mainstream stages.
– Explain two literary elements in which he is known to excel and the major theme of most of his plays.
Symbolism, dramatic irony, and deception. Major theme of his plays include:
- Parental and Filial Obligations. Nora, Torvald, and Dr. …
- The Unreliability of Appearances. …
- The constrictive nature of gender roles. …
- Deceit. …
- Reputation. …
- Marriage.
Topic 2: Norway
– Find and include a map of Norway and its location in Europe.
– Describe Norway’s climate.
Western Norway has a marine climate, with comparatively cool summers, mild winters, and nearly 90 inches (2,250 mm) of mean annual precipitation. Eastern Norway, sheltered by the mountains, has an inland climate with warm summers, cold winters, and less than 30 inches (760 mm) of mean annual precipitation.
– Briefly explain Norway’s government and economy.
Norway is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The economy of Norway is a highly developed mixed economy with state-ownership in strategic areas.
– Include information about Norway’s traditional culture.
Norwegians tend to have a strong sense of history and civic engagement and on special occasions, many Norwegians wearing traditional clothing, or bunad. In Norwegian culture, some of the most important values are tolerance, respect, and equality. Norwegian families tend to be small, but relatives often live in the same town. For most Norwegian parents, it’s important that their children grow independent, and take responsibility for their own activities and actions.
Topic 3: Gender Roles and Social Classes in the Victorian Era
– List the years included in the Victorian Era.
1831-1901
– Discuss whether society was patriarchal or matriarchal and why.
Victorian Era was a strictly patriarchal society. It is common knowledge that during the Victorian era men and women had their own specific roles. It is also common knowledge to know that men had complete legal and economical control over the women.
– Describe the characteristics of the “ideal woman.”
The ideal Victorian woman was pure, chaste, refined, and modest. This ideal was supported by etiquette and manners.
– Explain the societal expectations of each of the following people:
– upper-middle-class woman and man
– working-class woman and man
– a suffragette
The most important goals of these upper-class women were that they wanted to get married, have children and raise those children in a good and neat manner.
Working class Victorian women were expected to marry, have children, and keep a nice household.
Victorian men were expected to earn money and lead their family, becoming the head of the household. A man’s masculinity was determined by his occupation.
Suffragist was a growing organization that supported the champaign for women to have the right to vote.
– Briefly explain how the nineteenth-century feminist movement differs from modern feminism.
Nineteenth-century feminist movement’s aims were equality in education, labor, and electoral rights. Modern feminist thought still focuses on the destruction of societally expected gender norms and behaviors. It still strives for equality and justice of all people in the eyes of the law, though the strategies and subcategories may vary.
Topic 4: Marriage in the Victorian Era
– Explain whether or not it was a romantic bond or economic institution and why.
It was an economic institution because women seek to secure stability and felicity through marriages.
– Describe the expectations and responsibilities of women and men.
Women were expected to marry, have children, and keep a nice household. Men were expected to earn money and lead their family, becoming the head of the household.
– Find and include any publications with instructions on how to be a good wife or husband.
“How to be a Good Husband”
- Tell Him He’s Great In Bed. If you don’t ever say this, do it today. …
- Support His Friendships. …
- Put Your Phone Away. …
- Talk Him Up. …
- Give Him A Little Space. …
- Support His Goals. …
- Say “Yes” …
- Take A Beat Before Criticizing.
– Explain if the structure or responsibilities within marriage differed according to social class and how.
The responsibility within marriages is generally in concordance but differs slightly according to social classes. For the upper-middle class, women often had less responsibility in terms of chores and taking care of households. Their primary job was to be presentable and be active in the upper-class society. Men’s primary job was to earn money and secure wealth. For under class, women had to put in more effort in taking care of children and managing daily chores. Men were often busier for the sake of life.
Topic 5: Realism
– Define the term and describe the characteristics of “theatrical realism.”
It developed a set of dramatic and theatrical conventions with the aim of bringing a greater fidelity of real life to texts and performances.
– Briefly describe some nineteenth-century social, economic, and political influences that may have led to the birth of theatrical realism/modern theater.
This emphasis was brought on by societal changes such as the aftermath of the Civil War in the United States and the emergence of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution and its effect upon biblical interpretation. Realism was a reaction against romanticism and the sensationalism of melodrama which dominated the stages of Europe and America for much of the 1800s.
– List the theatrical elements of theatrical realism.
The décor, the costumes, language, subject matter (social problems –poverty, social ills), relationships etc., have to be true reflections of contemporary life.
– Include some titles and photos from plays that are considered “realist.”
“An Inspector Calls”
Include your list of resources in case you have to go back and refer to them again.
Read the following articles:
“Why A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsent is more relevant than ever”
“How Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Helped Invent Feminism a Century Ago”
