“A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen portrays a woman named Nora who is completely blinded by the way her husband, Torvald, treats her. She is ruled by her husband and her father her entire life. Her husband treats her as if she is a child. He does not let her eat candy because it can rot her teeth, and he calls her names like “squirrel” and “little lark” in the beginning of Act 1. “Is that my squirrel rummaging around?” (Ibsen, 859). Their marriage is put to the test when Nora borrows money from Krogstad so that she is able to pay for a trip to Italy to save her sick husband’s life. Krogstad finds out that Nora forged her father’s signature by saying “This is the curious thing: that your father cosigned the note for your loan three days after his death” (Ibsen, 875). Krogstad then threatens to tell Nora’s secret if she does not talk her husband into letting him keep his job.
Two characters Ibsen makes comparable to the reader are Nora and Mrs. Linde, an old school friend of Nora’s. Each woman lives their life focusing on money. Nora feels it is a great thing to be independent and borrow money knowing there is a good possibility of saving her husband’s life even though she forges her father’s signature. In the beginning of the play, we discover that Torvald is promoted to manager of the bank, where he will receive a huge wage and be extremely powerful. Torvald waves money in the air in front of Nora and watches her as she gets excited. “Ten – twenty – thirty – forty. Oh, thank you, Torvald: I can manage no end on this” (Ibsen, 860). On the other hand, Mrs. Linde felt she had to marry a wealthy man so that she could take care of her mother and brothers. She finally comes back into Nora’s life after losing her husband and mother. Pressed for money, she successfully asks Nora to help her secure a job at Torvald’s bank. Now that she is free from her marriage, she believes she is capable of running off with Krogstad. Mrs. Linde also symbolizes an emptiness in the matriarchal role. Her relationship with Krogstad can also show comparison with that of Nora and Torvald.
This type of play is a drama because it is a piece of literature that is never fully realized until it is put on stage in front of the audience. The tone of the play is based on a male-dominated world. In the beginning of the play, it is hard to sympathize with Torvald considering he is being completely overbearing towards his wife. The end of the play becomes more neutral in a sense that sympathy can be found for all of its characters as Nora slams the door.
I think the title “A Doll House” is ironic to the theme because Nora has felt confined in her own home just like a doll in a dollhouse. “Our home has been nothing but a playpen. I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Papa’s doll-child. And in turn the children have been my dolls. I thought it was fun when you played with me, just as they thought it fun when I played with them” (Ibsen, 907). Nora feels it has been this way their entire marriage and she finally realizes it is not the right way to live. At first, she lived with the restrictions of the Helmer household. These restrictions built up for years and she finally sees the light at the end of the tunnel. Torvald is upset when he first finds out the news, but he realizes his wife was only trying to save his life. Nora leaves behind her own husband and children before it is too late for Torvald to turn it all around.
3 comments:
I thought this play was rather interesting. Nora seemed to be trapped in a pretend world. Of course, everyone else thinks their family is pretty much perfect, but what they don't know is all of the unhappiness in Nora's heart-- especially after her secret was exposed. It's hard to say what I would have done at the end, but I know if I wasn't happy or inlove with my significant other, I wouldn't want to live in the same household either. Though, she should worry more about her children instead of up and leaving them like she did.
i think the author concerns about the position of women in society are brought to life in this play. In my opinion, women have their own right to have or develop their own interesting and individuality. They can make and control their own money instead of hanging their hands to man for money. But in reality, women are not treated equality as men either in relation or in our society, their role was often self-sacrificial
I like how you say that the title is ironic, thats a great thought. Nora did feel that way and saw her opportunity to escape. i only wish she would have done more for her kids.
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