A Dolls House

A detailed Summary of A Dolls House

Often in literature characters are presented as victims of society. There are many examples of this in Henrik Ibsen's controversial play, "A Doll's House". Written during the Victorian era, Ibsen's play would have raised a lot controversy on the roles of males and females in society. The audience would have noticed the constant similarities between themselves and the characters that are presented as victims of society. A lot of the audience would have found the play shocking and disturbing.

Torvald, a character who is a typical Victorian era husband, with a sweet wife, three children, a nanny, a maid and a well paid job; would have represented a large percentage of the play's male audience. Only people, who were well off as Torvald, could go to the theatre and have such luxuries, in that period of time.

Torvald is a victim of society, forced by the need to fit into society's circle and to be classified as high in social status. Torvald is aware of the pressures of society and is willing to adhere to them. Although Torvald is a victim of society, it's quite evident that he is happy and comfortable with the idea.

Torvald has everything he could possibly want, and everything society could possibly expect

him to have, in life. A family, a beautiful wife, a home, a good respectable job, which has given him a higher status in society, a office of his own, to do his man to man business, and plenty of money so that he can spoil his pet, Nora. This is the major reason why Torvald does not want to do anything such as "touch any case that isn't - well - nice" in case it affects his image and gives his name a bad reputation. Torvald would do anything to stop having to "cut costs to an absolute minimum" and "save every cent", ever again. This is evident in the last scene when he tries to cover up Nora's actions, so it doesn't leave a bad mark against his name. " I must try to buy him off somehow. This thing must be hushed up at any price." (Act3, pg94)

Nora is a victim of society because of Torvald's need to appear as a picture perfect family, in order to play the role he has set for them. Not only is Nora a victim of society, but of Torvald as well. Nora feels that it is her duty as Torvald's wife to live up to his expectations and play the role he has set for her, in order to make a good impression on society.

Due to society's pressures and expectations Torvald's only opinion and way of thinking is the same as the society's stereotypical views. He knows no better. In society, women are just there to take care of the children and please their husbands. The most obvious example which shows Toravld's need to follow to society's ideas and expectations, is when Nora dances the tarantella and we see Torvald's physical control over her. Nora pretends that she needs Torvald to teach her every move in order to relearn the dance. The reader knows this is an act, and it shows her submissiveness to Torvald. After he teaches her the dance, he tells Nora "When I saw you turn and sway in the tarantella- my blood was pounding till I couldn't stand it." (Act 1), showing how he is more interested in Nora physically than emotionally. When Nora responds by saying "Go away, Torvald! Leave me alone. I don't want all this." (Act 1), Torvald asks, "Aren't I your husband?" (Act 1). By saying this, he is implying that one of Nora's duties, as his wife is to physically please him at his command.

Torvald tries his best to live up to every expectation society sets for him. The idea of maintaining a strong and crucial role in the family, is an image, which is important to Torvald. He feels if he maintains this image, he will be comfortably similar to everybody else, in society. As the male and husband of the family, he feels that it is his duty to be the breadwinner, the provider and the head of the household. "you will not find me lacking in strength or courage. I am a man enough to bear the burden for us both." (Act 2, pg63)

Some common words found in the essay are:
Written Victorian, Nora Torvald's, Nora Society, Nora Torvald-, Ms Linde, Torvald Nora, Torvald Aren't, Dr Rank, Doll's House, Instead Nora, act 1, victim society, doll's house, ms linde, torvald nora, victims society, society torvald, nora victim, torvald victim, society's eyes, victim society forced, nora victim society, play role set, males females society, torvald victim society,

Approximate Word count = 2129
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English