A Doll's House
Written during the Victorian era, the controversial play, "A Doll's House" by Henrick Isben, features a female protagonist seeking individuality (Tornquist, 5). During the time in which the play took place society frowned upon women asserting themselves. Women were supposed to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children, and made sure everything was perfect around the house. Work, politics, and decisions were left to the males. Nora serves as a symbol for women of the time; women who were thought to be content with the luxuries of modern society with no thought or care of the world in which they lived (Bradbrook, 57). By presenting this theme of the relationship between women and their surroundings at the beginning, Ibsen indicates that this is the most basic and important idea at work in the play (Ackerman, 82).As the play reveals, Nora does delight in material wealth, having been labeled a spendthrift from an early age. She has the attitude that money is the key to happiness. However, it is also clear that Nora's simplistic approach to the world is not entirely her fault. Torvald's treatment of Nora as a small helpless child only contributes to Nora's separation from reality. Just as Nora
When Nora took upon herself to borrow money to save Torvald's life, she was taking the first step to realizing that she can be in some control of her life. However, when pressed as to whether she will ever tell Torvald about the loan, she replies that she would, but only in time. For now, she believes that it would upset the lies that have built her home: Torvald's "manly independence" and even the basis of their marriage (Ackerman, 104). This suggests that Nora is at least vaguely aware that Torvald's position as the manly provider and lawgiver is just as fabricated as her role as the helpless child-wife and mother (Ackerman, 104). She proved herself not to be helpless like Torvald implied: "you poor helpless little creature" Nora finally decides to leave Torvald, aware that a true marriage between them would be an act of a miracle because neither of them loves the other, or is even capable of doing so. Nora realizes that, before she can be a wife, she must first discover herself through venturing out into the world. The one thing she is aware of is her ignorance, and her desire to go out into the world is not to "prove herself" but to discover and educate herself. She must strive to find her individuality (Ackerman, 114). relates to the exterior world mainly through material objects, Torvald relates to Nora as an object to be possessed. He refers to her as his little "lark" and "squ
Some common words found in the essay are:
Henrick Isben, According Ibsen, Krogstad Nora, Ackerman Nora, Similarly Torvald, Doll's House, Written Victorian, doll's house, rules outside, borrow money, outside world, father husband, ackerman 104,
Approximate Word count = 944
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
