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A Doll's House: Comprehensive Guide for A Level English

Intelligent, detailed notes work through the whole text. Each section contains:

  1. Plot summary
  2. Close textual analysis covering themes and recurring motifs
  3. Thought-provoking questions and activities to ensure students fully engage with the text

Thoroughly researched, full of stimulating comments and well-structured

T Tough, HoD & Peer Reviewer
Special notes focus on:
  • Ibsen’s life and work
  • Setting and characterisation
  • Social and cultural context of A Doll’s House
  • Feminism and A Doll’s House
  • Critical receptions of the play
  • Contains suggested essay titles and a special AQA A Literature section with coursework advice

Engaging to read in its own right, and brings an excellent play completely alive for an A level audience

J Whitbread, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

What do teachers say about this resource? (4514)

This Study Guide is superb. It is engaging to read in its own right, and brings an excellent play completely alive for an A level audience. The content covered is sufficiently detailed and the language used is not offputting by being overly formal.

J Whitbread, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

The resource is thoroughly researched, full of stimulating comments and well-structured. It presents plenty of challenging ideas, as well as providing detailed summaries and analysis of the play...I really liked the crucial identification that Ibsen was not a feminist (so often what students want him to be!), but instead focused on commenting on reality through the medium of theatre. The author adopts an excellent standard of vocabulary that stretches without alienating. The focus on the play as a live text is a real strength of this resource, especially when as a teacher, I am always trying to make them think about the implications of form. The initial focus on stage directions is helpful in that it firmly locates the play as something which is seen and heard and deals with all the resulting implications for audience perception.

T Tough, HoD & Peer Reviewer

I liked the level and detail of the contextual information - particularly the historical and social context which is very useful for A Level coursework.

L Kirby, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

A very useful resource that engages with the text and its themes... I liked the layout of the resource and the summary and close analysis of each section. This would be very useful for pupils to have a guidance when reading the play. The contextual detail about Ibsen is very helpful, as are the profiles towards the end. It is evident that plenty of research has gone into this and I would feel confidence relying on this as a primary source of information... The questions at the end of each section help to engage the pupils with the development and presentation of character, as well as the thematic ideas that are explored within the play... Very accessible and clear to follow... This is a nicely organised and usable resource

B Hart, Deputy HoD & Peer Reviewer

I especially liked the detailed notes about each section of text and the suggestions for discussion. The questions are thought-provoking and stimulating... [and] will encourage the students to consider the presentation of the characters and key relationships in depth.

C Webb, English Teacher & Peer Reviewer

A useful study guide to the play which pulls together contextual detail and textual analysis in a clear form. The contextual detail was particularly strong - a good range of material which would suit both less able and more able students. The questions / activities at the end of each scene analysis will help encourage class discussion well.

H Harvey, Teacher & Peer Reviewer

Very good detailed guide on a A Doll`s House... The use of foreshadowing explanation is superb as students find this difficult and this resource gives actual examples on which to focus.

S Fallon, Teacher & Peer Reviewer