A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. Short summary

5 seconds

Nora Helmer, for the sake of her husband, but secretly from him, decides to commit financial fraud. The consequences of this event are blackmail, intrigue, exposure, and the collapse of the family.

1 minute

Nora’s family life seems easy and carefree. Three wonderful children. Her husband, lawyer and aspiring banker Thorvald Helmer, is lenient with her, jokingly juggles, but does not reproach his dolly for the spendthrift.

Nora has a secret — financial forgery. She tells her old friend Mrs. Linda about it. Nora once borrowed a large sum of money from her husband’s co-worker, Krogstad, at interest. On the loan agreement, Nora forged the signature of her seriously ill father.

After being fired from the bank, Krogstad wants to be reinstated and resorts to blackmail. Nora must influence her husband’s decision or Krogstad will reveal the forgery story.

Helmer learns of his wife’s machinations. He is outraged at his wife’s self-dealing, but is lenient, especially as Krogstad refuses to make any claims. Nora is humiliated by her position as a plaything. She leaves the house.