Set in the late 1800’s, A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, focuses on the life of Nora Helmer and the relationships that she has with her family and the people around her. Themes of parental obligations and the sacrificial role of women are explored throughout the play. Nora’s journey to self-discovery exposes gender stereotypes, which are contrasted through the emergence of her own empowerment. The setting, Nora’s relationship with her husband, how she is influenced by strong women, and the ending of the play, are all important elements to Nora’s journey. Nora’s journey to self-discovery begins with how she is subconsciously influenced by the setting in which the story takes place; the Helmer house. The setting portrayal is very specific when
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Torvald uses ‘pet names’ on Nora to assert his authority over her, “…my little lark…” (Ibsen 1) is just one of the many examples in the play. He reinforces this power imbalance in their relationship by belittling her and demonstrating his dominance. Torvald sees Nora as inferior to him, more like a pet or young child. Torvald holds complete control over Nora. Nora craves independence from her husband, the only way she can satiate this craving is to commit small acts of rebellion. “She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two, then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens” (Ibsen 1). Nora is scared of Torvald and she recognizes the power he holds over her, which is why she “cautiously” goes to his door to listen. She does not want to get caught because she understands that the cons outweigh the pros in this situation. In her own way, however, Nora is able to manipulate Torvald in the confines of their relationship. An example of this manipulative behaviour is when Nora says, “You might give me money, Torvald” (Ibsen 3). In this situation, Nora is taking advantage of Torvald’s offerings so that she can get exactly what she pleases. This is another way that Nora is controlled by Torvald. She knows that she has to rely on Torvald to take care of her financially even if she is capable, since it is not appropriate for …show more content…
Christine, an old friend of Nora’s, is a very influential person in Nora’s life. Christine says to Nora, “My mother was alive then and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers…” (Ibsen 8). Christine sacrifices her independence in order to care for her loved ones. The difference between the two women is that Christine demonstrates her autonomy by choosing a life that enables her to care for her family, showing that she is able to manipulate the situation to suit her needs. Nora demonstrates her autonomy through small acts of rebellion, which she keeps hidden from Torvald. This difference resonates with Nora when Christine says, “All my life… I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure” (Ibsen 53). Christine finds joy in being free and independent even though her situation is not conventionally considered ‘ideal’. She has found equality to men by working to support herself, this is what Nora wants. Nora has known the nurse of her children, Anne, since she was a little girl herself. Anne left her own daughter with another family so that she could take care of Nora, “[she] was obliged to if [she] wanted to be little Nora’s nurse” (Ibsen 30). Anne understands that sacrificing her own child to care for another let her help someone who needed guidance and care. “…you were a good mother to me…” (Ibsen 30), Nora realizes that when Anne abdicated her
Torvald uses ‘pet names’ on Nora to assert his authority over her, “…my little lark…” (Ibsen 1) is just one of the many examples in the play. He reinforces this power imbalance in their relationship by belittling her and demonstrating his dominance. Torvald sees Nora as inferior to him, more like a pet or young child. Torvald holds complete control over Nora. Nora craves independence from her husband, the only way she can satiate this craving is to commit small acts of rebellion. “She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two, then goes cautiously to her husband’s door and listens” (Ibsen 1). Nora is scared of Torvald and she recognizes the power he holds over her, which is why she “cautiously” goes to his door to listen. She does not want to get caught because she understands that the cons outweigh the pros in this situation. In her own way, however, Nora is able to manipulate Torvald in the confines of their relationship. An example of this manipulative behaviour is when Nora says, “You might give me money, Torvald” (Ibsen 3). In this situation, Nora is taking advantage of Torvald’s offerings so that she can get exactly what she pleases. This is another way that Nora is controlled by Torvald. She knows that she has to rely on Torvald to take care of her financially even if she is capable, since it is not appropriate for …show more content…
Christine, an old friend of Nora’s, is a very influential person in Nora’s life. Christine says to Nora, “My mother was alive then and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers…” (Ibsen 8). Christine sacrifices her independence in order to care for her loved ones. The difference between the two women is that Christine demonstrates her autonomy by choosing a life that enables her to care for her family, showing that she is able to manipulate the situation to suit her needs. Nora demonstrates her autonomy through small acts of rebellion, which she keeps hidden from Torvald. This difference resonates with Nora when Christine says, “All my life… I have worked, and it has been my greatest and only pleasure” (Ibsen 53). Christine finds joy in being free and independent even though her situation is not conventionally considered ‘ideal’. She has found equality to men by working to support herself, this is what Nora wants. Nora has known the nurse of her children, Anne, since she was a little girl herself. Anne left her own daughter with another family so that she could take care of Nora, “[she] was obliged to if [she] wanted to be little Nora’s nurse” (Ibsen 30). Anne understands that sacrificing her own child to care for another let her help someone who needed guidance and care. “…you were a good mother to me…” (Ibsen 30), Nora realizes that when Anne abdicated her