A Doll's House by Henrick Ibsen
199
{A Doll House} by Henrick Ibsen
chelynn buck
Modern assimilation and implied allusions, victorian era influence, and the symbolic elements of the doll house.
three acts = three elements (love, hope, faith)
- act 1: ambiguous love.
- act 2: gradual stigma of hope.
- act 3: loss/gain of faith.
- Conclusion: Continuous cycle of these three key elements.
significance in title
a doll('s) house can be interpreted as a house that describes the doll, or a house that the doll belongs in. in Nora's case, it's both.
the largest misconception is that nora is the only one trapped in her doll house. however, torvald, and mrs. linde, krogstad, etc. all live in this doll house society, as well. they are confined to the limits of what society considers acceptable in that time period.
nora and torvald:
differences and similarities
KROGSTAD:
Christine, are you saying this deliberately? Yes, I am sure you are. I see it in your face. Have you really the courage, then—?
MRS. LINDE:
I want to be a mother to someone, and your children need a mother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character—I can dare anything together with you.
NORA:
No. I can receive nothing from a stranger.
HELMER:
Nora—can I never be anything more than a stranger to you?
NORA:
[taking her bag]. Ah, Torvald, the most wonderful thing of all would have to happen.
HELMER:
Tell me what that would be!
NORA:
Both you and I would have to be so changed that—. Oh, Torvald,
I don't believe any longer in wonderful things happening.
HELMER:
[sinks down on a chair at the door and buries his face in his hands]. Nora! Nora! [Looks round, and rises.] Empty. She is gone. [A hope flashes across his mind.] The most wonderful thing of all?
importance of "wonderful"
at the end, one can interpret what torvald says as a rhetorical question or a legitimate awakening. has he realized the most wonderful thing? or is he watching the most wonderful thing happen. their marriage coming to terms.
- christmas significance
- biblical reference (adam and eve)
- the ability of being reborn
"... Eventually love is to throw away one's own independence, which becomes the possession of the other person. The feelings that one feels at that point is what is called hatred.
Therefore love can only fail."
modern examples:
- revolutionary road
- 3iron
victorian era of frail women, and the women being the ones to work in the house all gave part to not only the play, but different movies, as well. even if they do not directly allude, similar themes can be found.
works cited
- A Doll's House Symbolism, Imagery & Allegory. (n.d.). Shmoop: Homework Help, Teacher Resources, Test Prep. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from http://www.shmoop.com/dolls-house/symbolism-imagery.html
- Bradford, W. (n.d.). Character Study of Nora Helmer from A Doll's House - Analysis of Nora Helmer Part. Plays / Drama. Retrieved April 26, 2011, from http://plays.about.com/od/plays/a
the ant/protagonist?
significance of three acts