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 she finally confronts Torvald with what she has done, he becomes understandably disturbed; in his frustration he shares the outside world with her, the ignorance of the serious business world, she is extremely disappointed to discover that he clearly has no intention of sacrificing himself for her. Although she progressively understands this position, she still clings to the hope that her husband will come to her protection and defend her from the outside world once her crime is out in the open. "A Doll's House" is also a prediction of change from this subordinate roll (Bradbrook, 45). Similarly, Torvald repeatedly calls Nora his "little one" or "little girl", maintaining the approach of a father rather than husband. Thus her first encounter with rules outside of her "doll's house" results in the realization of her naivety and inexperience with the real world (Tornquist, 80). In her opinion, it was no crime for a woman to do everything possible to save her husband's life. Never having to think has caused her to become dependent on others. Nora realizes that, before she can be a wife, she must first discover herself through venturing out into the world. 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. He refers to her as his little "lark" and "squirrel," implying that she is small and helpless. When circumstances suddenly place Nora in a responsible position, and demand from her a moral judgment, she has none to give. When Nora's husband inadvertently deems her unfit in her role as a mother, she begins to realize that her actions consisting of playing with her children happily or dressing them nicely does not necessarily make her a suitable parent. Nora is fully dependent on Torvald, from money to diet (the macaroons); and, because she is so sheltered, her view of the world is deluded (Ackerman). According to Ibsen in his play, women will eventually progress and understand her position (Bradbrook, 50).
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Acceptance Essays
