Themes And Role In Play: A Doll's House

One central character in Atticus is Atticus Cody. Atticus is a sixty-seven year old white male with blue eyes. He always talked pleasantly with everybody and cares dearly for his family. He hopes for the best of Scott, one of the two sons he has and wishes that he stays happy. All Atticus wanted was for Scott to be happy and know he was loved by him.

It was accepted that the women answered to the men. The husband made money and provided for the family, while the wife took care of the home and the children. Nora fits into her expected place into society for a short time, however that changes throughout the play as she becomes more self-aware. Torvald’s nicknames fit perfectly into the stereotypical relationship structure as they suggest that Nora is below Torvald in all aspects of their lives. The use of the nicknames and the descriptive words that Torvald uses suggest that Nora is not as smart as Torvald or that she is altogether

"A Doll's House", written in 1879, is one of the most famous works by playwright Henrik Ibsen, the founder of modern realistic prose drama. It tells the story of a nineteenth century bourgeoisie woman who breaks the chains of society that determine her role in life in order to find herself. The female protagonist Nora lives a perfectly comfortable and seemingly carefree life until her husband Torvald Helmer falls ill. She is forced to forge a signature on a contract that would enable her to borrow enough money from a lawyer named Nils Krogstad to travel to southern Italy to save his life. When Torvald finds out what she did and becomes infuriated rather than grateful for the wife who loves him enough to save his life, Nora realizes that

A Doll’s House is a famous three act play based in the mid/late 1800s. Written by author Henrik Ibsen, the play focused on the changing times for women of Norway (Ibsen, H, 1992). Throughout the play the typical early 1800s Norwegian family is described - one where the husband is dominant in all aspects, and the wife merely follows his requests and tends to the children (M., M., M., & A., n.d.). From the beginning of the play to the end, main character Nora gradually hints toward being so unhappy with her situation that she would eventually go against social norms and leave her husband and children to make a life for herself (Ibsen, H, 1992). A Doll’s House incorporated several new concepts for that time period such as prose and realism all while employing the themes and structures of a classical tragedy.

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.

Henrik Ibsen's widely regarded work, A Doll's House, was first introduced in 1879 as a theatrical presentation of human rights. Today, Ibsen's work remains as such, although often conveyed as more focused on women's rights. The Norwegian playwright's vision of a seemingly common home is quickly translated through Ibsen's use of symbolism, setting, and diction.

Urban, critiques how Nora was affected by gender role, and how gender role was an obstacle to her personal fulfillment. In his critiques he stated that “Most theater productions treat the play as Nora, using minor characters as foils for a leading actress”(Urban). Meaning that theater productions do not consider Nora’s character seriously. Indeed Urban criticizes that Nora chose Torvald by an intellectual rather than an emotional process. Which proof that back then women get married with a man, they even love, just as a cause of how society expected. Then female's feelings weren't into consideration, they have to marry someone they don't love, neither to fit into a social status or because that’s the way they were tough it should be. Urban emphases that Nora was a victim of her gender role “You see, there are some people that one loves, and others that one would rather be with.” She knows that she does not love Torvald, nor he her. However, Nora is really in love with Dr.Rank, “She finds Dr. Rank good company,sexually attractive, and most importantly, a true friend to whom she can open her soul with few reservations”.which make the situation even worse. As cause then women cannot ask for a divorce. Divorce was seen as a moral everyone must follow. Not to mention that Torvald is way older than Nora, Urban says “ She can see that physical attraction will not hold him much longer”. Another hint that lets the reader see that Nora is not truly in love with Torvald, he’s older than her. Besides Nora has morals and respect to herself as Urban says “Other women in Nora’s situation could easily become the doctor’s mistress-Nora suggest to Kristina that some “admirer” might give her presents- but Nora was still feeling a deep obligation to Torvald for having saved her father, and she was, after all, his wife”(Urban). His opinion about Nora, says a lot about her. Although Nora’s not in love with Torvald,

In the play A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, the societal expectation of gender stereotypes during the late 1800s in Northern Europe is paralleled with the characters portrayed. With Ibsen’s background growing up in a middle-class family with financial struggles, he puts together a play that represents a household that he is familiar with and questions the roles that each person has. Nora, the protagonist, is initially characterized as a normal housewife for her husband, Torvald Helmer, and her three children. This seemingly traditional, middle-class household undergoes changes as secrets are revealed and leads to a realization of independence and escape from expectations. For Nora, Mrs. Linde, and Torvald, their gender stereotypes of this time period are shown through the changes in their characters and their qualities, and their dialogue with each other and to themselves.

A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen, creates a peephole into the lives of a family in the Victorian Era. The play portrays a female viewpoint in a male-dominated society. The values of the society are described using the actions of a woman, Nora, who rebels against the injustices inflicted upon her gender. Women’s equality with men was not recognized by society in the late 1800’s. Rather, a woman was considered a doll, a child, and a servant. Nora’s alienation reveals society’s assumptions and values about gender.

A perfect Victorian woman was expected to be a loyal servant in the family. The woman, as a daughter and as a wife, had to ignore her own intentions and desires if it would displease her father or husband - "A true wife, in her husband's house, is his servant" (Basch 6). Nora initially accepts this ideology. She follows all the orders and advises provide by her father and her husband. She dedicates her life to pleasing these men and even hides her own views and opinions, if they were contradictory. She mends according to their views and eliminates her flaws, as identified by the two men. She is condemned by her husband for borrowing money, which she only used to save his life. However, in the end Nora realizes that she had been meddled with as if she were a doll - "When I was with papa, he told me his opinions; and if I differed from his I concealed the fact, because he would have not liked it [...] you (Torvald) arranged everything according to your own taste, so I got the same taste as you - or else I pretended to..." (Ibsen 1256). Nora figures that she has sacrificed too much trying to please the men. Her father and husband have deceived her off her identity and character - something that would make her life meaningful. All of her life seems trivial to her - "I existed merely to perform tricks foe you, Torvald. But you would have it so. It is your fault that I have

In “A Doll House” by Henrik Ibsen was created during 1800s time period. This play helps shine a light on the gender roles of the 1800s while also creating a twist that was uncommon for this period. During this time period, women were left home to oversee the domestic duties, while men went to commuted to work (Hughes). Men were seen as physically superior but morally inferior to women; which is also portrayed within this book (Hughes). This play marks the beginning of Henrik Ibsen’s realist period, which he explored the ordinary lives of small-town people (Kirszner and Mandell 881). This “modern tragedy” helped make Ibsen famous internationally because of the real-life story it captured (Kirszner and Mandell 882). Henrik Ibsen uses an array of literary devices to help keep the reader captivated from beginning to end. Three of the most prominent literary devices used by Henrik Ibsen are symbolism, foreshadowing, and an array of themes. These literary devices help transform a basic play into a complex story of lies and deception.

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is based in the Victorian society of the 19th century. It assesses the many struggles and hardships that women faced because of marriage “laws” that were crucial during that time period. The society was male- dominated with no equality. Nora is the protagonist in A Doll’s House and the wife of a man named Torvald. This play is about Nora’s voyage to recognizing her self- determination and independence. She transforms from a traditional, reserved woman to a new, independent woman. Nora’s relationship with Mrs. Linde, Nils Krogstad, and her husband, Torvald, help her personality grow throughout the play, A Doll’s House.

Surname 1 Student’s Name Professor’s Name Course Date Outline: Historical Analysis of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Thesis statement: In the play, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, the marital predicaments of Nora illustrates a realistic societal problem that was prevalent in Europe during the 19th century regarding marriages and the role of women in the society. Introduction

A Doll’s House, or Et Dukkehjem in Norwegian, is playwright Henrik Ibsen’s most widely recognized work to this day. Written in 1879, Ibsen tells the story of a modern drama based off the events happening to a fellow writer, Laura Kieler. As such, the Victorian era and audience being written to are familiar with the separation between men and women. However, this separation is welcomed, even applauded. In Henrik Ibsen’s notes for the contemporary tragedy, he remarks: “A woman cannot be herself in present-day society, which is an exclusively male society with laws written by men, and with prosecutors and judges who judge female behavior from the male point of view.” Thus, A Doll’s House embodies the theme of subjective morality, and calls

Henrik Ibsen composed the drama A Doll’s House in 1879. The play was an everyday tragedy that a women put upon herself with impulsive actions, resulting in the calamity that it did. It was written in prose, an older type of writing used by Shakespeare, giving it a specific feeling of the past and transporting you back to the time period of the late 1800s. Many things are shown in this play such as women and human rights, consequences, and hasty actions, but the author made realism an important thing in his writing.