A Doll’s House

A Doll’s House

Year: 1973

Runtime: 106 mins

Language: English

Director: Joseph Losey

Drama

Nora Helmer leads a quiet life with her husband Torvald, a bank manager, in a small Norwegian town, caring for their children while he is unaware that years earlier, when he was ill, she forged a loan and has been secretly repaying it. The arrival of her friend Kristine forces Nora to reassess her marriage and confront the truth with Torvald.

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Timeline & Setting – A Doll’s House (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of A Doll’s House (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 19th century

The late 19th century backdrop brings rigid social codes and expectations for women, marriage, and class. Domestic life is regulated by appearances and reputation, leaving little room for individual autonomy. The era’s norms catalyze the conflict between private longing and public duty.

Location

Norway

Set in 19th century Norway, the story unfolds within a middle-class home that underscores strict social norms. The domestic sphere is the theater where gender roles, reputation, and financial dependencies play out. The setting emphasizes outward respectability while concealing the personal struggles of those inside.

🇳🇴 Norway 🏠 Domestic setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:12

Main Characters – A Doll’s House (1973)

Meet the key characters of A Doll’s House (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Nora Helmer (Jane Fonda)

A seemingly carefree wife who is secretly resourceful and capable, having borrowed money to protect her husband. She is caught between loving devotion and a dawning realization of her own autonomy. Her decision at the end marks a radical challenge to the era's gender norms.

💃 Role expectations 🕊️ Repressed agency 🧭 Moral dilemma

Torvald Helmer (David Warner)

A paternalistic, status-conscious husband who views Nora as a charming but childish figure. He takes pride in being the breadwinner and moral guardian of the family, but his world begins to crumble when truth surfaces. His perspective highlights the limits of patriarchal authority.

👔 Patriarchal control 💼 Reputation over truth 🧭 Pride

Kristine Linde (Delphine Seyrig)

Nora's practical friend who has endured hardship and seeks honest, straightforward solutions. She serves as a foil to Nora's secretive approach and embodies resilience and loyalty. Her presence underscores themes of female solidarity and pragmatism.

🌿 Practical resilience 🤝 Friendship and loyalty 💬 Honest communication

Dr. Rank (Trevor Howard)

An elderly doctor with a quiet, compassionate demeanor who harbors unrequited affection for Nora. His subtle presence highlights themes of mercy, mortality, and the social codes governing relationships. He offers a humane counterpoint to the harsher judgments around Nora.

💗 Tender affection 🕯️ Moral ambiguity 🧭 Quiet vulnerability

Nils Krogstad (Edward Fox)

A desperate lawyer who leverages Nora's secret to save his position, revealing the precarious line between morality and ambition. His character embodies social stigma and the complexities of loan, debt, and reputation. He oscillates between antagonism and the possibility of nuanced humanity.

🃏 Blackmail pressure 🏛️ Social stigma 🎭 Dual loyalty

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:12

Major Themes – A Doll’s House (1973)

Explore the central themes of A Doll’s House (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

✨ Self-Discovery

Nora's journey moves from a seemingly devoted wife to someone who recognizes her own need for independence. The crisis pushes her to question the foundations of her marriage and the roles imposed on her by society. The story centers on personal growth and the urge to define oneself beyond traditional expectations.

🪞 Appearance vs Reality

The plot pinpoints the tension between outward respectability and inner truth. Nora's secret loan and forged signature expose the fragility of the perfect domestic image. Letters and revelations force characters to confront what they have hidden from others and themselves.

⚖️ Freedom vs Duty

The narrative pits individual happiness against social and familial responsibilities. Torvald's code of honor clashes with Nora's evolving sense of self and moral agency. The climax tests whether duty can justify denying personal freedom.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:12

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A Doll’s House Summary

Read a complete plot summary of A Doll’s House, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

A Doll’s House Summary

A Doll’s House Timeline

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A Doll’s House Timeline

More About A Doll’s House

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More About A Doll’s House

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