tailieunhanh - Lecture Drama II - Modern drama: Lecture 6 - Dr Irum Zulfiqar

This chapter presents the following content: Symbolism in the doll’s house, critical analysis/ thematic analysis, critical analysis of some dialogues, dramatic structure of a doll's house. | DRAMA II Lecture 6 SYNOPSIS: Critical Analysis 1. Critical Analysis of Major Characters (continues ) Dr. Rank Mrs. Kristine Linde 2. Themes The Sacrificial Role of Women Parental and Filial Obligations The Unreliability of Appearances Nora’s Definition of Freedom 3. Motifs Letters Dr. Rank At first, Dr. Rank appears to be an extraneous supporting character. He does not further the plot the way Krogstad or Mrs. Linde do. Krogstad initiates the conflict by attempting to blackmail Nora Helmer. Mrs. Linde gives Nora an excuse to leap into exposition in Act One, and she also tames the heart of the antagonistic Mr. Krogstad. But What Does Dr. Rank Do? Not too much. He visits with Torvald Helmer in his office. He flirts with a married woman. Oh, and he is slowly dying of an unnamed illness (he does hint at his disintegrating spine—and most scholars suggest he is plagued with a case tuberculosis). Even Dr. Rank believes himself to be easily replaceable: Dr. Rank: The thought of having to leave it all without being able to leave behind even the slightest token of gratitude, hardly a fleeting regret even nothing but an empty place to be fulfilled by the first person that comes along. (Act Two) More than any other character in the play, Dr. Rank reflects the dawning of “Modern Drama.” Torvald and Krogstad could just as easily appear in a sappy melodrama. However, Dr. Rank might well fit into one of Anton Chekhov’s plays. Before Ibsen’s time, many plays focused on characters facing and solving problems. As plays became more realistic, characters began spending more time being reflective rather than getting caught up in convoluted plot lines. Dr. Rank, like characters found in the works of Chekhov, Brecht, and other modern dramatists, ponders aloud about his inner misgivings. Many scholars see Dr. Rank as a symbol of moral corruption within society. However, because of the many sincere aspects of his character, that view is debatable. Basically, Dr. Rank . | DRAMA II Lecture 6 SYNOPSIS: Critical Analysis 1. Critical Analysis of Major Characters (continues ) Dr. Rank Mrs. Kristine Linde 2. Themes The Sacrificial Role of Women Parental and Filial Obligations The Unreliability of Appearances Nora’s Definition of Freedom 3. Motifs Letters Dr. Rank At first, Dr. Rank appears to be an extraneous supporting character. He does not further the plot the way Krogstad or Mrs. Linde do. Krogstad initiates the conflict by attempting to blackmail Nora Helmer. Mrs. Linde gives Nora an excuse to leap into exposition in Act One, and she also tames the heart of the antagonistic Mr. Krogstad. But What Does Dr. Rank Do? Not too much. He visits with Torvald Helmer in his office. He flirts with a married woman. Oh, and he is slowly dying of an unnamed illness (he does hint at his disintegrating spine—and most scholars suggest he is plagued with a case tuberculosis). Even Dr. Rank believes himself to be easily replaceable: Dr. Rank: The thought .