How Does Henrik Ibsen Use Dramatic Irony In A Doll's House

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Henrik Ibsen wrote A Doll House. This play is very insightful into this time period. He uses literary devices to talk about how women were expected to talk, act, and dance a certain way for their husbands. He uses dramatic irony to best bring out that women can do what men do during this time period. The dramatic irony is evident all throughout the play. Ibsen uses dramatic irony at the beginning of the play when Nora tries to express her happiness about her husband’s new job and their future. The reader later comes to find out that Nora owes a debt to Mr. Krogstad and she was masking her fear with fake happiness. “Oh yes, Torvald, we can squander a little now. Can’t we? Just a tiny, wee bit. Now that you’ve got a big salary and are going to make piles and piles of money.” (Act 1, Lines 19-20) Her husband proceeds to tell her that “Yes- starting New Year’s. But then it’s a full three months till the raise comes through.” (Act 1, Line 21-22) Nora’s husband sees this as another example of …show more content…

"Let what will happen, happen. When the real crisis comes, you will not find me lacking in strength or courage. I am man enough to bear the burden for us both." (Act III) When Torvald does find out about Nora’s forgery, he is lacking in strength. And he responds with "How could it help if you were gone from his world? It wouldn't assist me.... I may easily be suspected of having been an accomplice in your crime. People may think... We must appear to be living together... But the children shall be taken out of your hands. I dare no longer entrust them to you." (Act III) It’s ironic because the situation finally came for Torvald to take care of Nora, and he didn’t. He insisted people thought he was an accomplice and it would ruin his name and image. This shows all along that Torvald only cared about himself and never really loved Nora like he

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