Henrik Ibsen was a very controversial playwright of nineteenth century Norway. His plays often brought up a variety of moral questions, which criticized the customs and culture of his time. Ibsen’s work entitled “A Doll’s House” deals with a marriage in 19th century Norway between Nora and Torvald and the struggles that go along with it. Audience members see Nora being dishonest as she serves as an accessory for Helmer before finally deciding to live for herself, not for her husband and children. Throughout “A Doll’s House”, Ibsen indirectly asks his audience several questions about marriage, such as whether or not the ends justify the means when it comes to one someone loves, examining women’s role in a marriage and whether or not the welfare
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Should the welfare of one’s self as an individual ever come before the welfare of one’s spouse? In the final scene of the play, Nora makes the final decision to leave Torvald and her children behind in search of a life where she can be free to live as she chooses rather than bending to be the wife Torvald wants her to be. When she tells Torvald what she is planning in the final moments before she leaves, he tells her that “before all else, [Nora] is a wife and mother”, to which Nora replies that “before all else, [Nora] is a human being”. This contrast of opinion demands audience members to decide for themselves what is more important in this marriage, the care of her husband and children or the care of Nora herself. But Nora is not the only person in this marriage who at some point shows an attitude of self preservation over the care of their spouse. Throughout the play, Torvald is very distant and always seems to be putting his work and his status over Nora and the children, which can be easily identified by the amount of time Nora is left alone in the house, all though this does not shock the audience nearly as much as Nora’s final decision. Is this because Torvald is the man? Or is it just because the children are still being cared for? This final question asking when is it acceptable to put one’s own welfare over the welfare of their spouse and family serves as yet another key aspect of Ibsen’s examination of
Should the welfare of one’s self as an individual ever come before the welfare of one’s spouse? In the final scene of the play, Nora makes the final decision to leave Torvald and her children behind in search of a life where she can be free to live as she chooses rather than bending to be the wife Torvald wants her to be. When she tells Torvald what she is planning in the final moments before she leaves, he tells her that “before all else, [Nora] is a wife and mother”, to which Nora replies that “before all else, [Nora] is a human being”. This contrast of opinion demands audience members to decide for themselves what is more important in this marriage, the care of her husband and children or the care of Nora herself. But Nora is not the only person in this marriage who at some point shows an attitude of self preservation over the care of their spouse. Throughout the play, Torvald is very distant and always seems to be putting his work and his status over Nora and the children, which can be easily identified by the amount of time Nora is left alone in the house, all though this does not shock the audience nearly as much as Nora’s final decision. Is this because Torvald is the man? Or is it just because the children are still being cared for? This final question asking when is it acceptable to put one’s own welfare over the welfare of their spouse and family serves as yet another key aspect of Ibsen’s examination of