A Doll's House Character Analysis

Register to read the introduction… This is so she doesn’t get noticed by those around her, opposite to Nora she hides away from society, where as Nora has to appear comfortable in society. Mrs Arbuthnot is also making a statement about why she has a child with no husband by wearing black, this puts her in appearance of mourning (as Queen Victoria was well known to wear black for the entirety of her life after her husband died). It is also derived that Mrs Arbuthnot is hiding behind her religion in doing this, and so people would assume that she adhered to the laws of their morality. Whilst Nora’s entrance is melodramatic and exciting, Mrs Arbuthnot would be seen as a dull character, “I love so much out of the world and see so few people”. She keeps herself away from society, and is of little importance, which adds drama to her significance in the controversy later on. Ibsen uses this technique to make her change more dramatic, setting up the melodrama would, to a Victorian audience, give them a false sense of security into the type of play they were watching, expecting light-hearted comedy. To then change style makes it increasingly awkward, and dramatic. This creates more complex characters, who change and become fuller, gripping an audience. The use of dramatic irony in both of these plays would make an audience feel more involved, and more frustrated, making them consider the progression of the play …show more content…
“Thirty-one hours to live….” Is an example of melodrama used to express entirely irrational thought, possibly madness, which was a fear in Victorian society. This quotation shows how Nora’s pretence is soon to be dropped, when her husband will find out about the money. This scene is vital to the play, as Torvald’s pressure on Nora to get the Tarantella right, and Nora’s playing up to him, is a reflection of their entire lives. Nora uses melodrama to be manipulative this is shown in stage directions. The playing with the waistcoat is also an example of sexual predation from Nora’s part – using, as she admits to Mrs Linde, her good looks and womanly features to manipulate her husband. This is hiding who she really is (Unfortunately, this form of manipulation backfires when Torvald attempts to force himself upon Nora, “Ah, I see you're teasing me, little Nora! Won't- won't! Am I not your husband-?”) In contrast to this way of doing it, Mrs Arbuthnot becomes entirely un-sexual – hiding behind plainness and age. This keeps her un-noticed, meaning she can hide whatever about her past she pleases, and so protect