Social Prejudice In A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen

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In 1879, Henrik Ibsen published the play A Doll’s House; he later described it as a “modern tragedy.” A Doll’s House is based on true events and audiences were baffled by Ibsen’s blatant disregard for societies social norms. In Norway, during the late 19th Century, the women were obedient housewives; the men were the breadwinners and the enforcers of law within the household. In A Doll’s House, Ibsen follows these norms at the beginning of the play, but as the story progresses, Nora, the protagonist, comes to realize she has married a stranger and that she no longer wants to be in a pretend marriage. Torvald, Nora’s husband, watches in confusion as Nora comes to this realization, yet he never reflects on his behavior. Nora has never been …show more content…
At first, she is only looking to surprise her family on Christmas and appears to be a silly housewife who is doing something to pass the time. However, when Mrs. Linde, Nora’s old friend, comes to visit Nora divulges she had broken the law for her husband. Nora had borrowed money, something a woman cannot do without the signature of a male relative. The worst part about the lie is, Nora had forged her dying father 's signature, a serious offense. Nora does, however, manage to pay off the debt, and without Torvald finding out for several years. However, no matter how much work Nora achieved throughout the years she was still too naive. Nils Krogstad, Nora’s loaner, came to inquire about his position at the bank, which he was about to lose; Nora behaved rudely and spoke of her influences over her husband. Krogstad then says, “… and I’m also aware now whom I can thank for being tuned out”(899). Krogstad blames Nora as the reason he is losing his …show more content…
Torvald only loved the idea of having a wife who depended on him and made him look and feel masculine. Nora insinuated before this realization that Torvald’s love for her was based on her parlor tricks while talking with Mrs. Lind. She says, “ I only mean when Torvald loves me less than now when he stops enjoying my dancing and dressing-up and reciting for him”(892). She is like a talking doll, and Nora knew it all along. She just mistook it for love because that is all she had seen, what she had learned growing

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