Henrik Isbens A Dolls House Essay - 1126 Words

Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll House examines a woman’s struggle for independence in her marriage and social world. Through the use of character change, Ibsen conveys his theme that by breaking away from all social expectations, we can be true to ourselves. When Ibsen presents Nora Helmer, we see a â€Å"perfect† wife, who lives in a â€Å"perfect† house with a â€Å"perfect† husband and children. The Helmer children have a nanny that raises them. By having the nanny, Nora has the freedom to come and go as she pleases. Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, will begin a new job as bank manager, so they will be rich, which will make her â€Å"perfect† life even better. Torvald even calls Nora pet names like â€Å"my sweet little lark† (Ibsen 1567) and â€Å"my squirrel†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦This is his way of letting Nora know he has his eye on her. â€Å"Some of these rules, such as no eating macaroons, are petty and demea ning† (Drama for Students 109). If Nora has macaroons every once in a while isn’t a big deal. Torvald is making a huge issue over something small and worthless. This is an example of how much control a man had over a woman. Nora wasn’t suppose to do anything without going through him. Torvald controlled Nora in everyway possible or so he thought he did. Torvald wants his wife perfect and he will except no less. Torvald also watches how much money she spends. Nora likes to spend money. She finds every excuse to get money out of Torvald. For example, she says â€Å"This year we really should let ourselves go a bit, it’s the first Christmas we haven’t had to economize† (Ibsen 1565). Torvald states â€Å"But you know we can’t go squandering† (Ibsen 1565). Torvald doesn’t like her spending so much. â€Å"Nora is enslaved by Torvald in economic terms† (Lutterbie 1639). Torvald only gives Nora want he wants her to spend. When Nora does want something and Torvald won’t give it to her, all she has to do is beg. â€Å"If she flirts and wheedles and begs, he rewards her with whatever she asks† (Drama for Students 109). Torvald likes for Nora to beg. It shows he is dominance over Nora. He knows that she is dependent on him and that she can’t survive without him. Nora also has to be perfect for her Torvald. â€Å"Nora, Nora† couldn’t act upShow MoreRelatedEssay on Henrik Isbens A Dolls House1015 Words   |  5 Pages Independence nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Most of us live a life where we do what we want and when we want without anyone telling us how to live our lives. This wasn’t the case in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, where he illustrates to us how one woman lives a life through her father and husband. Throughout the play we see how a once childish like woman gains her independence and a life of her own. 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In Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, Nora does something that is unimaginable during the time period. Nora’s husband Torvald believes he is the man of the house and that his wifeRead More Henrik Isbens A Dolls House Essay1195 Words   |  5 Pageshusband, he becomes understandably agitated; in his frustration he shares the outside world with her, the ignorance of the serious business world, and destroys her innocence and self-esteem. This disillusion marks the final destructive blow to her dolls house. Their ideal home including their marriage and parenting has been a fabrication for the sake of society. 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