Anticipation Guide- A Doll’s House
Purpose- The anticipation guide will help incite curiosity and help students make
predictions about A Doll’s House. The anticipation guide also introduces important
themes in the play. Through this exercise, students can practice defending their
opinions and they can become open to new ideas. They will also be able to
measure their predictions against the actual events in A Doll’s House, finding
satisfaction when they have guessed right and reevaluating their opinions when
their ideas are different.
Directions- Prior to reading the play, A Doll’s House, hand out the anticipation
guide to the students. Instruct them to mark “true” or “false”—whether or not they
think the author will talk about that idea. Instruct them that they must be prepared
to defend their answers. Have each student complete the anticipation guide
individually. Then, form the class into small groups and have the students discuss
their answers and reasoning with 2–3 other students. Finally, open up the
discussion to the entire class. The questions in the anticipation guide can generate
further discussion of themes that will appear in the play.
Further Discussion- As you read the play, refer back to the anticipation guide.
Discuss with the students how their opinions may have differed from what actually
happens in the book. Use the anticipation guide as a jumping off point to talk about
important themes.
Shepherd, BYU, 2008
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Directions: Mark true or false to the following questions. Be
prepared to defend your answers.
True
False
______
______
Mothers and fathers have particular roles in the home
that do not overlap.
______
______
You don’t have to have love and respect for each
other to be married.
______
______
Lying is wrong.
______
______
Women should have higher morals than men.
______
______
Women are just like children.
______
______
Mothers should only be concerned with the children
and home. Men should only be concerned about work
and public affairs.
______
______
Women should only work outside the home if they are
widows.
______
______
Mothers should have time to themselves—away from
husband and children.
______
______
It’s okay for mothers to leave her husband with the
children.
______
______
Fathers can raise children properly without the help of
a mother.
______
______
It’s okay for mothers to abandon their husband and
children.
Shepherd, BYU, 2008