Essay On Self Actualization In A Doll House

Torvald throughout the course of the play is selfish and only cares about his reputation. He tells Nora he would do anything for her, but when it came time he was only worried about losing his reputation and good name. Torvald exemplifies the dominant husband that puts societal views of himself over his wife and children.

Torvald would never have thought she were capable of it, since during that era it was unrealistic of women to leave their houses but rather put up with the difficulties they faced. Ibsen highlights society's domineering outlooks of marriage and the interactions of two people naïvely pretending to be in love. Throughout the play Ibsen reveals the fragile attributes of his characters to help enhance the play-like nature of their relationship, the role of women, and Nora's course of self-discovery.

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

“Is Torvald a controlling chauvinist who must keep his wife powerless at any cost or is he merely a man trying to live within the context of his society? Does he act unreasonably in the play or is he merely trying to keep his family and life together?”

Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll House examines a woman’s struggle for independence in her marriage and social world. Through the use of character change, Ibsen conveys his theme that by breaking away from all social expectations, we can be true to ourselves. When Ibsen presents Nora Helmer, we see a “perfect” wife, who lives in a “perfect” house with a “perfect” husband and children. The Helmer children have a nanny that raises them. By having the nanny, Nora has the freedom to come and go as she pleases. Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, will begin a new job as bank manager, so they will be rich, which will make her “perfect” life even better. Torvald even calls Nora pet names like “my sweet little lark” (Ibsen 1567) and “my squirrel”

Torvald displays a character as the alpha male in the play. He wants everything to go his way, which does not allow Nora to have the chance voice out her emotions. In the article, Gender Roles Behavior and

Nevertheless, Ibsen is able to present to the reader the thoughts of Torvald through his home and what is inside of it. The reader is able to view the pride and almost obsession Torvald holds in being higher class, viewing himself above most of society. As the reader, we can start to discover more about Torvalds’s character, especially his perspective on social class. Even though there are many differences between Torvald and Krogstad, they both have similar views on social class. While Krogstad interacts with Nora the reader is able to discover the importance that social class plays in his life “My sons are growing up; for their sake I must try and win back as much respect as I can in the town. This post in the bank was like the first step up for me- and now your husband is going to kick me downstairs again into the mud.” (Ibsen, Page 21). Krogstad is similar to Torvald with worries in social status in addition to the way he is

Torvald is trapped by societal expectations, because Torvald believed that he should be the financial provider and take care of his wife. He thinks that his wife should take care of the household duties and take care of the children. Nora primary responsibility was her family first and believed shouldn’t work outside of the home. Torvald doesn’t spend any time with his children, because it seems that he is too much into his work. Just like other men in his society they expected for the wife to stand by his side no matter what. Most men were controlling and had power over women. Like for example in the play it stated how Trovald doesn’t want Nora to eat macaroons, which shows how Trovald was controlling not allowing his wife to make her own

In Ibsen’s “A Doll House,” Nora explains quietly, “I am the one who saved Torvalds’s life (Ibsen 793).” It expresses that how she proud on her action and broke the trend of men’s leadership in finance. It was criticized by Mrs. Linde which shows rigidness of women’s number one role in society. Nora created a silent protest against her narrow role in society, and also attempted to break the flow of men’s attitude toward married women. Nora wasn’t ready to become her husband’s child.

Torvald is easily distinguishable as the antagonist of the story even when compared to the nefarious foil character, Krogstad. At first, he seems to be a kind husband, much like any other. In some instances, he is even playful like this: "Nora! [Goes over and playfully takes her by the ear.] Are your scatterbrains off again?"

Torvald embodies the typical Victorian man, given his actions towards his wife and his home as a whole. He symbolizes the dominance that many men hold over their wife and children. He strictly believes that the wife of the man is his property, and he had the right to treat her however he feels she should be treated. He treated Nora like a doll, not his wife, or an actual human being. He confesses to her that she is like his wife... and his child, which defeats the purpose of marriage all together. In a sense, Torvald, just like Nora, is trapped in the Victorian era mindset. He acts just as he is “supposed” to act, and he sees absolutely nothing wrong with it. That was the way the men of the Victorian Era were brought up. Torvald envisions himself

On the other hand, manliness is quite obvious throughout the play. Nora's appears to be aware of the social pressures that Torvald faces as a male just as she is aware of her own social role as a woman. Torvald, however, bases manliness on the value of complete independence. He seeks to reach total financial or moral independence that over time puts him out of touch with

During the Victorian Era, men were expected to be the providers for their family. In the beginning of the play, Torvald is very sick and cannot provide any income for his family. As a result, Nora, his wife, is forced to find a source of income to provide and care for the family. After Torvald gets better it is revealed that he is an ambitious banker and recently received a promotion. He conformed to society’s standards and became a banker to financially support his family.

Written in the late 19th century, Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House addresses flaws within Norwegian society. Ibsen specifically highlights the symbiotic relationship between social oppression and deception. Many groups within the 19th century Norwegian culture felt social oppression, but women were among the most heavily judged. In this time period, it was illegal for a married woman to be employed, so she was forced to the monotony of home making and child bearing. This law has a central role in the play as Nora struggles to break free from her stagnant lifestyle of following social expectations. Like Nora, many people felt obliged to lie and deceive people to seem as though they were following the rules of society. Ibsen’s negative depiction of social oppression and deception throughout different scenarios within the play contribute to the play’s major themes. Ibsen utilizes Torvald’s study, the masquerade ball, and Nora’s dress change to symbolize and develop the overarching themes of social oppression and deception in A Doll’s House.