Nora's Transformation (From child to woman)
The play entitled "A Doll's House", by Henrik Ibsen, deals with the issue of a woman's role in society. More specifically, the subordinate role women play in comparison to that of their husbands. Women, at that time, were mainly given the impression that one should support her husband through whatever decisions he chooses to make. As well, women should be sympathetic, comforting, and obedient towards their husbands. During act one, the main character, Nora Helmer, possesses theses qualities as a woman, a wife, a mother, and a companion. She later opens her eyes to the world; seeing her life in a completely different light and becomes curious, as she sets goals for herself, trying to seek purpose in life. In a sense, Nora goes from being an oblivious, innocent child, transformed into a curious woman. She comes to the realization that she needs to experience and learn things for herself and can no longer depend on others (namely men) to spoon feed her whatever information they see is needed to know by a woman. The concept of Nora having a rather childlike air about her at the beginning of the play is supported through her acts of disobedience and indecisiveness. Like a child, Nora is told by her husband that she is forbidden to e
One other element that factors itself into Nora's 'before' period, is her oblivious and naive thoughts regarding the law. Although her intentions to 'save' Torvald were as good as gold, forgery is unfortunately illegal. Despite this fact though, it is in the way Nora handles the situation which proves she really does not know much of anything regarding business or the law. During her meeting/discussion with Krogstad, she realizes that what she did was wrong, yes, but does not comprehend that she can not get off of the charges of forgery so easily. She believes that the law will let her off because of her good intentions and moral and virtuous motives. " Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dying father's anxiety and care? I a wife not to be allowed to save her husband's life? I don't know much about the law, but I am certain that there must be laws permitting such things as that...[if not] then it must be a very foolish law..."(24) Nora simply can not grasp the fact that there are consequences that come along with illegal actions. Thus proving, she is naive to a certain extent. The issue of Nora being indecisive about her actions, also follows her contradicting herself at times. Although she knows that she has borrowed a large sum of money, and is now making up for that by being resourceful with the money Torvald gives her as a sort of 'allowance', by buying clothes for herself that are cheap in cost. On the other hand, Nora is also a "spendthrift" and takes joy in spending large sums of money on luxuries such as Christmas gifts. As well, as devoted a wife to her husband as Nora makes herself out to be, she still gives into her flirtatious urges; with Dr. Rank for example. Nora pulls silk stockings out of a bag and flaunts them off to Dr. Rank. She makes sexual gestures such as gently hitting him with the stockings. And then comments on the devilish look on his face; accusing him of thinking impure thoughts. Rank then asks what
Some common words found in the essay are:
Nora Torvald, Despite Nora, Nora Helmer, Sweet Tooth, Dr Rank, Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen, , doll's house, dr rank, law intentions,
Approximate Word count = 1316
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)
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