In reading Ibsen's A Doll's House today, a person could find it hard to imagine how daring it seemed when Ibsen wrote it over one hundred years ago. A main subject of this play is the emancipation of women from the restrictions that society and men place on them. When Ibsen wrote this play he was making a statement about a woman's role in Victorian society. That statement is that society should allow women to be independent, and that women should free themselves from the restrictions that society places on them.

In Act I, there are many clues that let us know what kind of marriage Nora and Torvald have. It seems like Nora is controlled by her husband in every way. She relies on Torvald for every thing in her life, from the way she thinks, to the way that she gets money from him. " Torvald, surely we can afford to be extravagant now, can't we? Just a teeny-weeny bit. You are getting quite a good salary now, and you are going to earn lots and lots of money...Money...Ten, twenty, thirty, forty. Oh thank you, thank you, Torvald."( Ibsen 1416).

The most obvious example of Torvald's control over Nora is his reteaching of the tarantella. Nora pretends that sh

The boys get new clothes and a toy sword; the girl only gets a doll. These presents represent a man and a woman's place in society. The new clothes and the sword show that a man's place is out in the world and his job is to care for his family. The doll that the little girl receives shows that a woman's place is at home, and she is to care for the children.

Her children are another concern in the play. If Nora continues to let Torvald dominate her than her children are doomed to follow in her footsteps. The children are being raised to know their role in society. The Christmas presents that are bought for them show this. "Look some new clothes for Ivar...and a little sword...And a doll and a doll's cot for Emmy."(Ibsen 1416).

Torvald responds to her by saying, "Aren't I your husband? "( Ibsen1458).

This shows how Torvald is more interested in Nora physically than emotionally. When Nora responds to Torvald by saying "Go away Torvald! Leave me alone. I won't have it"(Ibsen 1458).

Another window from which we can look into Nora and Torvald's marriage is the way they talk to each other. They use pet names every time they talk to each other. "Is that my little sky-lark chirruping out there? Yes it is. Is that my little squirrel frisking about? Yes! When did my little squirrel get home?" ( Ibsen 1415).

Nora starts to realize something is wrong with her life after Krogstad exposes her. When Torvald doesn't immediately offer to help Nora, she sees the problem. By waiting until after he discovers that he will suffer no social harm, Torvald reveals his true feelings. Torvald puts what people will think of him ahead of his feelings for his wife, he claims to love. When Nora sees this, she decides that it is time for her to leave Torvald. When Torvald tries to make Nora stay, she explains to him how she feels like she has been treated like a child all of her life. She feels that both Torvald and he

Some common words found in the essay are:
Linde Nora, Torvald Torvald, Doll's House, House Torvald, Nora Torvald's, Torvald Nora, Torvald Ibsen, Torvald Leave, Whenever Torvald, Linde Linde, victorian society, play nora, doll's house, torvald treats, restrictions society, care children, torvald represents, torvald nora, course play, yes little squirrel, society ibsen, victorian society torvald, course play nora, torvald treats nora, home care children,
Approximate Word count = 1290
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)