Greater warmth in the heart rather than the home In the play A Doll’s House written by Henrik Ibsen, Nora, the main character is the epitome of the oppressed women. During the time the play was written women were under the control of men. Ibsen uses the stove, an ordinary household item, as a tool for Nora to free herself from being restrained. Initially she uses the stove for comfort and stability, but as the play unfolds its symbol turns threatening. The first encounter between the stove and Nora happens when she and her husband, Torvald, discuss debt. Torvald is against incurring any debt, while Nora sees no harm in doing so. After Torvald’s disapproval she moves to the stove and responds, “As you please, Torvald” (2). With this action Ibsen demonstrates who is in control. By moving next to the stove, Ibsen shows how Nora is easily manipulated by her husband’s ideals. She retreats to her place of comfort without contradicting him. Concealing behind the stove manifests the authority he has over her, but at the same time the stove acts as place of refuge.
As the play progresses the idea of the stove being Nora’s place of …show more content…
Torvald sits next to the stove and tries to teach Nora to dance (48). She ignores her husbands guide and dances hectically and messy. Torvald finally has no control over Nora since her life is no longer at ease. He starts to lose his obedient and perfect wife. This scene cannot compare to the beginning of the play when Nora conceals behind the stove and follows her husband’s guide. Ironically, once Torvald sits by the stove he loses that control he once had. He states, “You have forgotten everything I taught you” (49). With this statement Torvald makes way for the inevitable transformation of Nora’s character. Since she has forgotten his teachings, she is no longer attached to his beliefs and is a step closer to reaching her
As the play progresses the idea of the stove being Nora’s place of …show more content…
Torvald sits next to the stove and tries to teach Nora to dance (48). She ignores her husbands guide and dances hectically and messy. Torvald finally has no control over Nora since her life is no longer at ease. He starts to lose his obedient and perfect wife. This scene cannot compare to the beginning of the play when Nora conceals behind the stove and follows her husband’s guide. Ironically, once Torvald sits by the stove he loses that control he once had. He states, “You have forgotten everything I taught you” (49). With this statement Torvald makes way for the inevitable transformation of Nora’s character. Since she has forgotten his teachings, she is no longer attached to his beliefs and is a step closer to reaching her