Nora after leaving her husband: The Plays of Ibsen

Author: (Austrian) Elfriede Jelinek
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Jelinek represents a raw and bloody truth, and no literary fiction can touch the human soul more profoundly than reality, though such touch may be extremely unpleasant. Reading Jelinek requires extraordinary courage. – Associate Professor Hu Chunchun, Department of German, Tongji University.
Jelinek's works critique social phenomena or issues that exist in both Western and Eastern countries. For example, social inequality, gender inequality, violence against women, and so on. As a mirror to society, her works allow us to see more directly the problems and shortcomings in society. – Ms. Figueras, Director of the Cultural Section, Austrian Embassy in China.
In her novels and plays, various voices and counter-voices flow and interact, revealing the absurdity and coercive power of social stale and language through unique linguistic passion. – Swedish Academy.
The story of this play takes place in the 1920s. However, its transcendence of the present time, especially its foresight of the future, can be subtly suggested through the characters' costumes. Nora must be played by an actress trained in acrobatics and skilled in dancing. She should also be able to perform gymnastics as required by the plot, and her performance does not need to be professional—she can even appear clumsy. Eva's behavior and speech should always seem a bit cold and cynical.