A Doll 's 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.

Henrik Ibsen’s drama, A Doll House, was seen as controversial when it first came out in 1879. During this time, women had little to no rights. They could not vote, or work, and they were not considered able to handle their own finances. So, naturally, a drama that suggests a woman could leave her home and family in search of herself was seen as anarchy. Throughout the play there is continuous talk of women, their roles as a wife and mother, and the price they pay when they break with tradition. But is it only about women? Many argue that Torvald is just as much a victim of nineteenth century social norms as Nora.

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

“A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen, was written in such a period of time when women were struggling in search for their identity. His play reflects the position of women in society during the 19th Century, the way they were portrayed, and his belief that women should be given the right to build up their own individuality. Moreover, in this play, men are apparently in the overwhelming position where they are seen to exhibit power in controlling women so that their own identity and societal position may be held, and recognized by the general public. Nora Helmer is the main character in the play who takes on the role of a victim. By employing ideas from sociologists and psychologists, Nora’s struggle for identity, how other’s attitude towards her motivates and drives her to gradually develop her own sense of self can be more fully understood.

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, written by Henrik Ibsen, has long been a thought provoking play. Since its release, groups of people have accepted this with admiration or hostility. Though the story appears moderately innocent and light-hearted, there is much conflict. The conflict present midst scenes does not simply exist between the multiple characters, which exists between Helmer and Krogstad for example, but in the character’s thoughts. Nora has faced much difficulty in hopes of her husband, Torvald Helmer, not discovering her long-kept secret. Through her trial of not allowing Torvald to achieve this knowledge, she begins to mentally break; she contemplates suicide, but runs away from her family and determines to turn over a new leaf in her life.

Dr. Rank says in reference to himself, “[Rank]…leave behind… nothing but an empty place which the first comer can fill as well as any other.” (Ibsen 47). With these words it is implied that he is essentially inconsequential. Although Rank does not greatly affect the happenings of the play and appears to be a relatively superfluous character, he helps set the mood and the progression of his illness runs alongside the predominant story. Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House takes place after a woman, Nora, illegally takes a loan. She then struggles to hide it when the lender, Krogstad, threatens to reveal her crime to her husband, Torvald Helmer. Dr. Rank appears to play a minor role in the story but his illness is a highly underrated element. Dr. Rank plays an important role in A Doll’s House through his companionship with Nora, his illness and his choices. Ibsen’s elaboration of Doctor Rank’s role is vital as it helps accentuate major plot points, develop characters and progress the plot.

Torvald is constantly treating Nora like a child by calling her childlike names and not regarding her as an adult. In Act III, Nora goes from being Torvald’s “little singing-bird” (132) to being a “miserable creature” (133) when Torvald feels his reputation is in jeopardy and begins to berate and verbally abuse Nora by name calling. He is more worried about what people will think of him that he wants to cover up Nora’s mess at any cost. Torvald does not care about what Nora is going through, but she did it all for the appearance of her husband. Torvalds’s role as her husband is understood to the reader as the masculine role of the bread winner as both a lawyer and banker. Ibsen makes it clear that Torvald has a physical and emotional control over his wife as he treats her like a child, a plaything, and his personal doll. He constantly uses degrading pet names such as “little squirrel,” “little lark,” “little spendthrift,” and “little featherhead.” (I.4-5). As Torvald treats Nora like a child, she continues to follow her husband’s conception of her.

Women were not allowed to have much of a social life because of the responsibilities that were expected to take care of. Ibsen used the characters Torvald and Nora to emphasize the typical gender role norms. The “gender script” that society self-inflicted upon us, had been taken as a norm that people were consistently tried to correct. Nora Helmer is considered to be the stereotypical wife that was there for her husband, raised the children, and also followed the society’s view of gender roles. The husband of Nora was Torvald, who was the “man” of the house and was the dominant figure.

The Victorian Era refers to the period of time in Great Britain during the reign of Queen Victoria. It was modeled after an idealized idea of her life based on some specific mores and values. People that lived in the Victorian era were very hypocritical. Everyone was expected to have a perfect family and perfect life. In reality, it was just a façade masking the real issues beneath. Women were expected to have a thorough education in music, singing, dancing, and taking care of the household. They were deterred from being too educated because it was considered unfeminine. Once they find and marry their husband, women would stay home, raise the children, and look after the home. Nora, the main character of A Doll’s House is expected to be a perfect wife and mother. She goes against these expectations and harbors a secret that could change her life for the better. In A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen uses Nora’s secret to give her agency that women during the Victorian era usually did not have, to go against societal expectations of women.

Agents of socialization help in dictating what is an acceptable form of gender role. The stage that is already set from birth within a family. Placed in the world then carried on with the world, reinforced by the way that society portrays what is passable, thus maintaining the overall picture that certain roles appear allocated to a certain gender type. As with Nurture – which is the experiences, values, environment in addition to upbringing that defines who we are - along with socialization which is the lifelong process by which through social interaction, we learn our culture, develop our sense of self, then become functioning members of society. The symbolic interactionism in the book A Doll’s House written by Henrik Ibsen looks at the behavior of people along with the effects that affect such behavior, such as the inequalities in marriage.

In past history, society has been very traditional with its views on gender roles. The term "gender role" alludes to society 's idea of how men and women are expected to act and behave. Gender roles are based on norms, or standards, created by society. In American society, “masculine roles have commonly been related with strength, aggression, and dominance, while feminine roles have traditionally been related with passivity, nurturing, and subordination” (sex roles/gender roles). In “A Doll’s House,” written by Henrik Ibsen, the readers are shown a firsthand view at how gender roles affected the character’s actions and interactions throughout the play.

In past history, society has been very traditional with its views on gender roles. The term "gender role" alludes to society 's idea of how men and women are expected to act and behave. Gender roles are based on norms, or standards, created by society. In American society, “masculine roles have commonly been related with strength, aggression, and dominance, while feminine roles have traditionally been related with passivity, nurturing, and subordination” (sex roles/gender roles). In “A Doll’s House,” written by Henrik Ibsen, the readers are shown a firsthand view at how gender roles affected the character’s actions and interactions throughout the play.

Torvald who appeared to be a dominating husband continually called Nora with pet names, for instance, “Is that my lark twittering there?” (Ibsen Act 1 pg. 1), “Is the squirrel frisking around?” (Ibsen act 1 pg.1), and “… my little lark mustn’t droop her wings like that …” (Ibsen act 1 pg. 2). To Torvald, Nora must always obey his rules, like a pet. In addition, he also viewed his wife as a child or even a toy. Thus, throughout the drama, as far as I observe, inequal partnership is the base of Torvald’s dialogue, one of the reasons is due to the patriarchal marriage they had, Torvald dominated the conversation. In this case, through his dialogues, Torvald always attempted to have his wife conform to his ideal thought of what a wife should be. Actually, Nora’s life was always being dominated by male since she was a little girl, “… Here I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I used to be papa's doll-child…” (Ibsen act 3 pg. 42). She never really had control over her own life. The male dominance has taken over Nora’s life and made her to be doll-like whose life is determined by others. However, eventually, the men’s illusion of their ideological power over women and their dominance over women, can bring about disaster on their physical and