A Doll’S House By Henrik Ibsen Illustrates The Tale Of

In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer is a traditional “angel in the house” she is a human being, but first and foremost a wife and a mother who is devoted to the care of her children, and the happiness of her husband. The play is influenced by the Victorian time period when the division of men and women was evident, and each gender had their own role to conform to. Ibsen’s views on these entrenched values is what lead to the A Doll’s House becoming so controversial as the main overarching theme of A Doll’s House is the fight for independence in an otherwise patriarchal society. This theme draws attention to how women are capable in their own rights, yet do not govern their own lives due to the lack of legal entitlement and

In Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, pointedly captures the reality of the Victorian Era within the play. Nora Helmer, the protagonist of the story, represents the typical women in society during that era. The audience’s first impression of Nora is a money obsessed, childish, obedient house wife to her husband, Torvald Helmer. However, as the play progresses one can see that Nora is far from being that typical ideal trophy wife, she is an impulsive liar who goes against society’s norm to be whom and what she wants. Her husband is illustrated as the stereotypical man during the 19th century, as he is the dominate breadwinner of the family, who too deserts his position as the play reaches its end. A key theme that is brought to light in A

We also see his demeaning behavior when he underestimates her ability to handle money. Herman Weigand points out that "Torvald tells her in money matters she has inherited her father 's disposition" (Weigand 27). So Torvald 's condescending language and names keep Nora in her place as a doll where he likes her to be. James Huneker put it best when he said

At the end of the play Torvald finds out that Nora has deceived him about borrowing money without his permission and this triggers an epiphany for Nora, who realizes she needs to finally realize the truth of her situation and recognize her desire to escape this doll house. During yet another argument, Torvalds loses it and says, “From now on, forget happiness. Now it is just about saving the remains, the wreckage, and the appearance” (1013-1014). Finally, in this moment, Nora realizes that Torvald is just a self-centered, petty man who is concerned only about keeping up the lie of marriage. It is this realization that allows Nora to appreciate the reality of her situation. “I've been performing tricks for you, Torvald, that’s how I survived. You wanted it like that. You and Papa have done me a great wrong. It’s because of you I’ve made nothing of my life” (1015). By the end of the play, Nora has emerged as a stronger, tougher and more independent individual who is determined to make her own life free from the gender roles that have been placed on her by

Nora also receives the command from her husband that she should “...make your mind at ease again, my frightened little singing bird. Be at/ rest and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under”(3. 1. 543-544). After showing his whimpering self at realizing that society might find out that he owes his wife, he then receives a note promising not to reveal the truth. Torvald reacts with happiness and pretends that he did not just hurt his wife. His wife does not let this go as he rants with sexist remarks bluffing about his strengths. The pride Torvald has as a man makes him discriminate against women and what they stand for showing making the break up within this family. Also in The House on Mango Street, one of the protagonist's friends must take care of their family because she is the eldest daughter but this has only made her hope for a man to get out of here since all she has learned is that men are superior to her. This shows how dominance of a family member can make other family members want to leave, therefore breaking the family

Nora begins to take offence to the words of Torvald. He refers to her as his most “prized possession”, and continues to say that he often imagines her as though she is his mistress, and she is a temptress. Nora continues to get offended, telling Torvald she doesn’t want any of this. Nora begins

However, Nora does eventually realize that she has been treated like a child all her life and has been denied the right to think and act the way she wishes. When Torvald does not immediately offer to help Nora after Krogstad threatens to expose her, Nora realizes that there is a problem. By waiting until after he discovers that his social status will suffer no harm, Torvald reveals his true

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House conveys the story of a wife’s struggle to break away from the social norms of late nineteenth century middle class Europe. Throughout the play, Ibsen focuses on Nora’s characterization and experiences and thus this leads the reader to perceive her as the protagonist. On the other hand, her husband, Helmer – also referred to as Torvald, is revealed as the antagonist as the dialogue between him and Nora throughout the entire play portrays him as an authoritative figure and oppressor rather than a

In the beginning of the play there are many significant events that reveal the kind of marriage Nora and Torvalds have. It is normal that a husband considers his spouse as a wife but in this case, Nora was nothing but a Puppet to Torvalds. Her duties were restricted to being a caregiver to her kids, house maid and most importantly pleasing her husband. Ibsen uses several analogies to show the readers the descriptive insight on how Torvalds view his wife .She was never accustomed to having her husband call her by her rightful name, she was always address as “doll” or “my little song-bird” and other childish names. At First Nora doesn’t seem to mind Torvalds’s demeaning behavior. She even encourages it by saying things like “Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice ….” (Ibsen). Torvalds demanded total submission from his “squirrel” not only physically but also mentally and

At the moments that Nora angers him by her seeming stubbornness, she becomes the terrifying creature, "a woman," which is a term of abuse for Torvald [. . .]. He cannot handle her then, for she no longer fits into the doll house. (376)

What comes to mind when the word morals is said? Whose morals should be followed, individual or group? In A Doll House, Ibsen portrays the protagonist, Nora, to follow the morals of her husband, Torvald. Four key aspects that help Nora decide to change her mind and make a decision to leave Torvald. These include the constant change of nicknames, the questioning of her own independence, the questioning of Torvald's love, and the realization that Torvald loves his reputation more then herself. As a result, Nora sets out to find her own individuality and moral beliefs.

Torvald being sick gave her a chance to explore a place she could not explore while young since her parent provider passed. This led her to risk a loan and forge a dead person’s signature, a serious offense. Her actions were seen quite different from what other women during her time would do. In the article, Women of the Middle Class, the author claims, “The wife not contributing economically to the family finances, there was a definite lessening of her status in society,” (page 1). She wants to show strength of her worthiness as a woman, however, love involves not being selfish in a relationship. Torvald is no less selfish once readers learn about his language he directs towards Nora. He calls her with animal names which are disrespectful to another person regardless of relationship. In another instance, he mocks Nora who likes money, to show his masculine dominance. “What are little people called that are always wasting money,” (page 929). His attitude reflects what he thinks of Nora, and his position with respect and income to show dominance. Marriage and love should connect with each other; however their marriage does not share agreement or sharing, like Torvalds money. Calling one little, or hiding a truth behind someone’s back disrespects what Nora did as love for Torvald, and how Torvald treats her back. The husband and wife role in a relationship challenges each other rather than sacrifice for each other because of gender roles.

Torvald is only concerned with, in regard to his relationship with Nora, how well she makes him look and what other people think about it. If he has a beautiful, obedient wife and joyful relationship, people will respect him. They’re relationship, on the outside appears to be happy. But, when you analyze their relationship, you see Nora is treated like a child in this relationship, but as the play progresses she begins to realize how phony her marriage is. Torvald sees Nora 's only role as being the subservient and loving wife. He refers to Nora as "my little squirrel" (185), “my little lark” (185), or “little spendthrift” (185). He only sees her as a possession. Torvald calls Nora by pet-names and speaks down to her because he thinks that she is not intelligent and that she can not think on her own. Whenever she begins

Torvald, Nora's husband, feels powerful by referring to Nora as different types of feeble animals. Nora realizes this and uses it to her advantage. During act II she wants a favor from Torvald so she manipulates him by calling herself the animal names that make Torvald feel dominant. She says,

“A Doll’s House “, by Henrik Ibsen was written during the 19 century, a time where men dominated women and used their money and power to obtain what they desire. Nevertheless; the three-part prose was based on a very beautiful character, in which the author named Nora. Nora was also a youthful lady who everyone felt was helpless and childish, due to her love of money and material matters. Because of her immature ways no, one took Nora serious, until the day Nora made it recognized that it was more to her than what many supposed.