Analysis Of A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen

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“I believe that first and foremost I am an individual, just as much as you are—or at least I’m going to try to be. I know most people agree with you, Torvald, and that’s also what it says in books. But I’m not content anymore,”(1017) bemoans Nora Helmer, the protagonist of the play, A Doll’s House, as she relinquishes social benchmarks by abandoning her husband. A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, examines the central theme of individual desires conflicting with social ideals. In the play, A Doll’s House, Ibsen applies effective characterization to strengthen the characters; Kristine Linde, Torvald Helmer and Nora, which enable him to develop the fundamental theme. Ibsen develops the static characters; Kristine and Torvald, to establish …show more content…

Throughout the play, Torvald constantly belittles Nora using words such as “little one” and “squirrel” to show his power and control over her. When Nora first enters the house, Torvald asks “is that my squirrel rummaging around.” (970) This quotation shows that Torvald does not treat Nora as a person, instead he calls her using animal names. Ibsen uses this language to suggest the theme of societal expectations influencing one’s desires, as Torvald is influenced by these social model to underestimate his wife. As the play progresses, there is no change on Torvald’s personality, which suggests that he is a static character. Near the end of the play, Nora realizes that she has been living with a stranger, who can never change his personality, due to Ibsen’s effective characterization of Torvald. In Act 3, when Dr. Rank knocks on the door, Torvald bemoans “Oh, what does he want now?”(1009) but when he opens the door “Ah, it’s nice of you not to pass our door without looking in,”(1009) showing a double-faced personality which enables Nora to start to realize who she is living with. When Torvald discovers Nora’s secret debt, he shouts, “Oh, you blind incompetent child!”(1016) although Nora told him that she saved his life. Moreover, he continues to say …show more content…

societal expectations. Ibsen develops Kristine to be completely opposite to Nora and assist Nora’s self-realization, while also, being an static yet strong and independant women to develop the central motif. Similarly, Torval is designed by Ibsen to entice the development of Nora, as well as, he is a static arrogant man, who is blinded by social norms, which allows Ibsen to develop the theme. Finally, Ibsen develops Nora to undergo a process of self-realization and ultimately develop the theme. In the play, A Doll’s House, Ibsen applies effective characterization to strengthen the characters; Kristine Linde, Torvald Helmer and Nora, which enable him to develop the theme of individual desires conflicting with societal

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