Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ went into production in December 1879 and was a triumph in Scandinavia and Germany. It did not garner the same praise in Europe as the London productions (1889) were criticised, the subject matter was interpreted as offensive and the representation of women was viewed as harmful (Worrall).
This final interaction between Nora and Torvald is crucial as it is the powerful denouement. The analysis of this scene will encompass discussions of the elements of characterisations in the scene and also the performance of gender in the scene.
Ibsen explores the concept of liberal humanism in this scene, as a justification and to some degree an explanation of self-fulfilment. Ibsen is challenging the concept of ‘duty’ with an emphasis on the duties attributed to woman, motherhood and marriage. Nora explains that ‘I have another duty which is …show more content…
In Act one when Torvald exclaims ‘That is like a woman!’ the ease and self-assuredness with which he believes this is called into question during this altercation. The final moment of this play sees him left alone questioning his own role in Nora’s decision to leave. Torvald is alone and he finds no comfort in his belief that ‘. no man can be expected to sacrifice his honour, even for the person he loves’ (Ibsen, 102).
Ibsen presents models of female independence but no other independent woman in ‘A Doll’s House’. Ms Linde is forced to find work and ultimately marries Krogstad in order to become the archetype of nurturing mother and caring wife, she is seeking‘. an anchor of a husband and children’ (Northam, 106). Ms Linde is replicating the situation that Nora is escaping. Anne-Marie the nanny is briefly explored and only to explain that she left her children, and survived. Also her ability to raise Nora’s children alleviates some of Nora’s fears and her sense of guilt and it also reassures the
This final interaction between Nora and Torvald is crucial as it is the powerful denouement. The analysis of this scene will encompass discussions of the elements of characterisations in the scene and also the performance of gender in the scene.
Ibsen explores the concept of liberal humanism in this scene, as a justification and to some degree an explanation of self-fulfilment. Ibsen is challenging the concept of ‘duty’ with an emphasis on the duties attributed to woman, motherhood and marriage. Nora explains that ‘I have another duty which is …show more content…
In Act one when Torvald exclaims ‘That is like a woman!’ the ease and self-assuredness with which he believes this is called into question during this altercation. The final moment of this play sees him left alone questioning his own role in Nora’s decision to leave. Torvald is alone and he finds no comfort in his belief that ‘. no man can be expected to sacrifice his honour, even for the person he loves’ (Ibsen, 102).
Ibsen presents models of female independence but no other independent woman in ‘A Doll’s House’. Ms Linde is forced to find work and ultimately marries Krogstad in order to become the archetype of nurturing mother and caring wife, she is seeking‘. an anchor of a husband and children’ (Northam, 106). Ms Linde is replicating the situation that Nora is escaping. Anne-Marie the nanny is briefly explored and only to explain that she left her children, and survived. Also her ability to raise Nora’s children alleviates some of Nora’s fears and her sense of guilt and it also reassures the