Freedom In A Doll's House Analysis

Freedom is something that many people have sought and continue to look for on a daily basis, and the characters in Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, demonstrate a search for freedom from various aspects of life. Some characters want to be free from the social roles that have been established by the time period, others look to be liberated from monetary obligations they have, some want to be rid of the reputations surrounding them, and others want to be free to have control over their lives. The characters throughout the play express the desire to be free from whatever is hindering them. Freedom is sometimes seen as the reward for hard work and determination. The characters in A Doll’s House seek freedom in different ways, including liberation from social roles, …show more content…
Social roles play a large part in the story, and the female characters, in particular, express their desire to be free from the social roles set by society. One female who truly expresses her desire to be free from her role in her home and society is Nora. Torvald believes that Nora has sacred duties as a wife; however, at the end of the play, Nora realizes that she wants to be free from what her husband believes is her rightful place. When Nora speaks of leaving the house, Torvald says, “Do I need to tell you that? Are they not your duties to your husband and your children?” (Act 3). Nora feels used by her husband and has no rights or real control over her life. She is not even allowed to access all of the family’s money, as her husband only gives her an allowance. Nora’s frustration with her role becomes apparent at the end of the play when she finally tells Torvald how she truly feels. She explains, “But our home is nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was papa’s doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls” (Act 3). She compares herself to a doll and says that she has been “played with” her whole