Henrik Ibsen was born in 1828 to a merchant family in the small Norwegian town of Skien. After his family fell into poverty, he was forced to drop out of school and, at 15, worked as an apprentice in a pharmacy. It was here that he began writing plays. Ibsen was by no means an immediate success. He spent many years writing, working for a theater company, and publishing with little attention. Cynical of the mean society in which he lived, Ibsen sent himself into exile, writing the play that would give him impetus, Brand. This and his later work (Peer Gynt) brought him to prominence and influence. At the “peak” of his career, Ibsen began to explore untapped themes. In 1879 he published A Doll's House and scandalized Victorian society. His subsequent plays also did not lighten in thematic content. Ghosts, Enemy of the People, The Wild Duck and Hedda Gabler hit the wall of late 18th century culture that Ibsen despised. His works have received attention on stage, often selling out every performance. However, they sparked public outcry and critical infamy. He suffered a series of disabling strokes and died on May 23. His last words were to his nurse, who told a visitor that he was improving. Disagreeing, he said “on the contrary!” and died the next day. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay For all its piety, modesty, and political progress, the Victorian era was suffocating the development of ethical issues. For example, voting was not just a privilege, but a rich man's right. With an almost autonomous aristocracy, the social elite created a political clique for themselves, where all control flowed through them: this created a wide disparity between rich and poor. Literature at this time began to shift towards a more sensational focus on human emotions. Notably, Ibsen's contemporaries included the Bronte sisters, Victor Hugo, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Henry David Thoreau. This era was also characterized by a concern with chastity, which resulted in a restricted social construct in which a woman could move. A Doll's House in particular addresses the way women were treated and thought of. They were prepared for domestic life, trained to be fragile and delicate for their future husbands. They could not own property, businesses, or have a career outside of the teaching profession. Ibsen broke ground on controversial drama with A Doll's House. The plot revolves around Nora, a wife and mother from late 19th century Norway. She realizes that she is not a complete person and that her husband, Torvald, has treated her like a doll. Based on a true story, Ibsen's A Doll's House became the catalyst for the burgeoning women's rights movement. Although today we view Nora's self-discovery and empowerment with respect and encouragement, critics responded with fury. Nora was seen as moral poison or considered foolish and irresponsible. The original ending was so scandalous that Ibsen was asked to change it, and although he complied, the alternative endings were unsatisfactory. Strong themes such as inherent power and the need to become oneself are the very fabric of this play, and although the action centers on one woman, it invites all people to contemplate their own growth and the encouragement they give others to progress. of the People has a political plot, but reflects Ibsen's dark resentment against small-town mentality. Fresh from the wounds he received from the reaction of Ghosts, Ibsen responded by creating a parable".