A Doll House By Henrik Ibsen

Ibsen 's play A Doll 's House centers on a stereotypical and comfortable family in the nineteenth century which, outwardly, has the appearance of respectability to which any audience can relate. There are many indicators that reveal that this family upholds a false image, such as the symbolic title “A Doll 's House". Nora is introduced as a "little Spendthrift" (p 6), which foreshadows future tension in her relationship. Torvald believes she is spending money frivolously, but she has actually secretly borrowed money to save his life, and is using the money he gives her to pay back her debt.

Mr. Krogstad, a former employee of Torvald is the leading antagonist in A Doll House. He clearly has an agenda and a lust for power. Krogstad’s lust for power gives the reader a sense of subtle rage because Krogstad only wants what’s best for him and his family but he exploits Nora for his own gain. Krogstad advances the plot by controlling Nora through a loan, while illuminating both main characters, and reinforcing the themes of confusion and lost love.

The author Henrik Ibsen used the play to elaborate on the irony of the 19th century culture of restriction of individual freedom and excessive adherence to ‘societal norm’ at all cost without paying attention or having recourse to the core values and norms that brings about individual happiness and freedom. Torvald Helmer tried to elucidate the abnormality of seeking individual freedom instead of societal norm when he inquired from his wife; Nora “…And you don't consider what people will say”. The society in Ibsen’s “A Doll House” is seen higher than the individual person, for one to fit in he or she must strictly adhere to what the society demands and not what the individual wants. Nora was quick to express her frustration on the demands of the society when she replied Dr. Rank thus “What do I care about tiresome Society?”. Even the eating of Macaroons was also forbidden by Torvald and Nora’s Father, Dr Rank could not hide his feeling upon the sight of Macaroons at Torvalds house when he inquired from Nora “What, macaroons? I thought they were forbidden here”, Nora who is also held by the claws of societal conformity had to lie to justify the possession of macaroons. The irony was played out when the same Dr. Rank enjoyed the macaroons after Nora placed it in his mouth. Ibsen’s setting of the play also portrays a society where a woman cannot be seen to go against not only the orders of her

In Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, pointedly captures the reality of the Victorian Era within the play. Nora Helmer, the protagonist of the story, represents the typical women in society during that era. The audience’s first impression of Nora is a money obsessed, childish, obedient house wife to her husband, Torvald Helmer. However, as the play progresses one can see that Nora is far from being that typical ideal trophy wife, she is an impulsive liar who goes against society’s norm to be whom and what she wants. Her husband is illustrated as the stereotypical man during the 19th century, as he is the dominate breadwinner of the family, who too deserts his position as the play reaches its end. A key theme that is brought to light in A

The play A Doll House written by Henrik Ibsen has strong symbolisms such as the doll house, Christmas tree, macaroons, and New Year’s day that help outline the theme. The author uses symbolisms to pull his audience in and allow them to feel the full effect of inequality and emotional abuse men gave women in the year of 1879, when Ibsen wrote this play.

Although Nora is secretive about the crime she committed, which is forging her father’s name in order to borrow money; she does it to save her husband. During Act I when Nora is speaking to Mrs. Linde about someday revealing to Torvald about the secret loan Nora exclaims: “One day I might, yes. Many years from now, when I’ve lost my looks a little. Don’t laugh. I mean, of course, a time will come when Torvald is not as devoted to me, not quite so happy when I dance for him, and dress for him, and play with him.” (Act I, pg. 12). This quotation shows that even early on in the play Nora understands the reality of her marriage, and her existence to Torvald. Therefore, Act I is merely an introduction to the overall overarching theme of independence. Act I shows the obedient side of Nora, until later scenes when she reveals her independence. Torvald attempts to oppress his wife, but his actions do not stop Nora’s independent thoughts from forming.

The play A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen was written in 1879 and is about a middle-class marriage in the nineteenth century. Social and economic conditions affect people in different ways, but in this play it causes conflict within Torvald and Nora’s marriage. The main characters are Torvald, Nora, Mrs. Linde, Krogstad, and Anne-Marie. Dr. Rank also plays a small part in the play. Throughout the play you read how each one of these characters had some problem with their wealth or social standing.

Ibsen 's concerns about the physical and mental oppression of women by male dominance are brought to life in “A Doll 's House”. Through the characterisation of male dominance Ibsen expresses the view that all women possess the right to develop their own individuality, but in “A Doll’s House” the reality is that their role was often sacrificial. During the late 19th century, when the events of “A Doll’s House” unfold, women were not treated as equals with men, either in relation to their husbands or society. Torvald’s egotistical fear that his employees would think his wife influenced him is evident in the following quote, “Everyone at the bank knows I’ve sacked him. If it comes out that that the new manager changes his mind when his wife demands it-…... I’d be the laughing stock”. Women could not conduct business or control their own money, for which they needed the authorization of men, whether that was husbands, brothers or fathers. Moreover, they were not educated for responsibility. Nora suffers from both of these inequalities, firstly by taking out a loan without the authority of her husband, and secondly by believing, out of naivety and ignorance of the world, that she could forge a signature and be absolved of the consequences of her actions. Throughout the text Ibsen implements specific characterisation in an effort to effectively comment on the effects of male dominance. It is evident that Nora and Torvald represent the stereotypical ideals of male dominance

Henrik Ibsen, writer of his most famed play A Doll’s House. Ibsen emphasizes on small-town life in this play. A Doll’s House takes place in the 1880s in Europe/Norway and based on a married couple, Torvald & Nora, who are considered to be middle class. The main character Nora in Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, seems to give this false installment of her identity. She is both unpredictable and childlike. The entire first and second act she spends giving this hidden subtext that she is unreliable. Nora Helmer is energetic/ enthusiastic due to the fact that she is always singing. Torvald refers to her as a spendthrift because she can never save any money from her allowance. Nora is Torvalds trophy wife. Throughout the play, Nora Helmer is dehumanized through her nicknames and portrayed as a doll figure through the way she acts.

A Doll 's House by Henrik Ibsen, is a play that has been written to withstand all time. In this play Ibsen highlights the importance of women’s rights. During the time period of the play these rights were neglected. Ibsen depicts the role of the woman was to stay at home, raise the children and attend to her husband during the 19th century. Nora is the woman in A Doll House who plays is portrayed as a victim. Michael Meyers said of Henrik Ibsen 's plays: "The common denominator in many of Ibsen 's dramas is his interest in individuals struggling for and authentic identity in the face of social conventions. This conflict often results in his characters ' being divided between a sense of duty to themselves and their responsibility to others." All of the aspects of this quote can be applied to the play A Doll House, in Nora Helmer 's character, who throughout much of the play is oppressed, presents an inauthentic identity to the audience and throughout the play attempts to discovery her authentic identity.

In “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen Nora’s character has traits’ of a narcissistic person. You can see these traits through her actions throughout the story. In the article “A Psychoanalytic Reading of Nora” written by Carol S. Tufts states values of a narcissistic personality one of these are “Grandiose sense of self- importance and uniqueness….” Nora can relate to this because when she decides to leave her family to go find her self, she is displaying this notion of self-importance. Nora also shows this when Dr. Rank confesses his love for Nora, when he is about to die and she gets upset with him because she needed his help and now she feels that she can-not take advantage of him.

Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” is a play about a young wife and her husband. Nora and Helmer seem to be madly in love with one another and very happy with their lives together. Yet the conflict comes into this show when Nora brags to her friend Ms. Linde about how she had forged her father’s name to borrow money to save her husband’s life and how she had been secretly paying off this debt. Helmer finds out about this crime and is furious, until he finds that no one will ever know about it. This entire conflict is written to bring to light the ridiculous social expectations demanded of both women and men. Ibsen expertly leads the audience into accepting that these social expectations are foolish and wrong. The audience

“I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Papa’a doll-child” (Ibsen 1491). Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House tells a story of scandal and deceit set in the Victorian era. Nora Helmer is married to Torvald Helmer and she feels more like his toy than his wife. Nora had to have Torvald to be able to do anything, because of when she lived. Nora borrows money behind her husband’s back (which is illegal at this time) and tries to cover up everything she has done. Ibsen employs the use of many themes and symbols in his A Doll House to show the reader just how Nora was a doll-child who evolved into a doll-wife.

Social movement of women liberation toward equal rights and independence has been a big subject in human history. It happens not only in Europe but also all over the world. Though making progress, this movement has been advancing slowly and encountered backslashes from time to time. Maybe there is something deeply hidden which the society has not figured out yet, even women themselves. What do women want, freedom or good life? Most of the time, they are not necessarily the same thing.

The timeless writing A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen is a controversial Realist Drama that provides a raw insight on how the equality of gender roles for women during the late 1800s was impacted by Women’s Rights Movement’s and women’s desire to break the stereotypes. A Doll’s House is a play that serves as a window allowing the audience to witness the artificial mold of this society’s expectations being broken by a female character. Set in a time where women were not quite liberal or capable in society’s eyes, A Doll’s House accurately portrays a topic that is applicable and being discussed in the 21st century. This play effectively uses Realist style writing, with themes portraying conflicting individual and social duties in this era and sheds light on the social expectations that a woman was forced to face then and that women often face today.