Stage directions-A Dolls House

The opening stage directions in "A Doll's House" are important to help understand the setting,time period, season and class of the characters. The directions begin "a comfortable room, furnished inexpensively, but with taste" suggesting that the scene is set within a well used room, that belongs to a middle class family, due to its inexpensive yet tasteful look. Ibsen then continues to describe the room in much detail, and perhaps at times mentioning items that could have been left out such as "Between the door and the stove stands a little table" and "there is carpet on the floor". This in turn demonstrates Ibsen's writing style, in which he values small details that help to create a scene as if audience is looking straight through his eyes. "The stove is lit" and "it is a winter day" tells us that the play is set in winter.

It is interesting to see how much we can deduce about the roles and qualities of Norah and Helmer within the opening stage setting.A special mention of "Helmer's study" is introduced in the second sentence is made to compliment the description of the main room. This signifies that Helmer is a powerful character as he is allocated a study for himself even within the means of a middle class family home.

Moving on in the opening scene Nora's characteristics are revealed. Her fear of revealing the truth to he husband is evident when she "takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket" eats just "one or two" and then goes "cautiously to her husbands door and listens". It is clear that she see's her husband as having authority over what she does, but is friverless in meddling with these rules so she can have some freedom to do what she wants. Her caution in approaching Helmer's study door implies her need to keep her actions secret to ensure she doesn't 'get caught' as if like a young child. The sweet macaroons symbolize her feeling of self indulgence,to get away with something she knows is forbidden, giving her a sense of freedom.

Helmer's use of possessive pronouns and use of third person illustrates Helmer's ability to have power over Nora. "My Sweet little skylark" is one of Helmer's 'pet names' for Nora.The use of 'My' places Helmer's feeling of dominance and authority, as if she belongs to him. This is reflected later on when Nora comments that "Torvold is so incredibly fond of me that he wants to keep me all to himself."