Literary Devices in “A Doll’s House”
“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen is a modern drama set in a house in the suburbs of Norway during the upper eighteen hundreds. The story centers around a housewife name Nora Helmer and the difficulties Nora experiences living a life acceptable in the eyes of society. People associated with Nora that have an impactful effect on the story include: Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband and a banker; Mrs. Kristine Linde, Nora’s longtime friend who just moved into town; Dr. Rank, Torvald’s best friend who is an ill site to look upon; Krogstad, a lawyer who worked at the bank; and finally Nora’s three children. The story begins with Nora, who in order to help her family, especially Torvold, borrows money without telling …show more content…
If Ibsen does not use suspense in his tale, the story would not feel serious but more of a joke. Therefore, suspense gives the story validation importance even though the story does give the reader some laughs. Ibsen also uses suspense to add flare to the moment making the story more personnel and emotional to the reader because you are taken with Nora through a roller coaster of obstacles that allows for the reader to have sympathy on Nora and see what she goes through to bring happiness to her family, which society makes extremely difficult to do. An example of suspense in “A Doll’s House” is when Torvald leaves the room with the letters while Nora is speaking to herself, “Never, never, Oh, the freezing black water! The depths – down Oh, I wish it were over – He has it now; he’s reading it now” (Ibsen 1291 – 1292). The second last moment of suspension, the last being the decision of Nora on what she will do next in life. The story ends once the suspense, which means the conflict of Nora ends with Nora refusing to be a doll in a dollhouse (Moi 259). Ibsen builds up the reader with suspense and when the end comes, there is such a drop off from the suspension clouds break open and light shines on the problems with society 's view of women during that time
“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen is a modern drama set in a house in the suburbs of Norway during the upper eighteen hundreds. The story centers around a housewife name Nora Helmer and the difficulties Nora experiences living a life acceptable in the eyes of society. People associated with Nora that have an impactful effect on the story include: Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband and a banker; Mrs. Kristine Linde, Nora’s longtime friend who just moved into town; Dr. Rank, Torvald’s best friend who is an ill site to look upon; Krogstad, a lawyer who worked at the bank; and finally Nora’s three children. The story begins with Nora, who in order to help her family, especially Torvold, borrows money without telling …show more content…
If Ibsen does not use suspense in his tale, the story would not feel serious but more of a joke. Therefore, suspense gives the story validation importance even though the story does give the reader some laughs. Ibsen also uses suspense to add flare to the moment making the story more personnel and emotional to the reader because you are taken with Nora through a roller coaster of obstacles that allows for the reader to have sympathy on Nora and see what she goes through to bring happiness to her family, which society makes extremely difficult to do. An example of suspense in “A Doll’s House” is when Torvald leaves the room with the letters while Nora is speaking to herself, “Never, never, Oh, the freezing black water! The depths – down Oh, I wish it were over – He has it now; he’s reading it now” (Ibsen 1291 – 1292). The second last moment of suspension, the last being the decision of Nora on what she will do next in life. The story ends once the suspense, which means the conflict of Nora ends with Nora refusing to be a doll in a dollhouse (Moi 259). Ibsen builds up the reader with suspense and when the end comes, there is such a drop off from the suspension clouds break open and light shines on the problems with society 's view of women during that time