Drama Paper I read and watched the play A Doll’s House that was written by Henrik Ibsen. I was instructed to choose a certain question that was proposed about the play that’s have been covered this semester. I decided to talk about and explain the general theme of A Doll’s House. The general message in the play is “no matter how hard you try to conceal it, the truth will always find its way out.” In the play, When I started reading about Nora, I saw a fragile woman. I saw that she seemed to be timid yet overbearing. In the film, Nora did what I thought was an extremely weird thing with her hands when she was with Torvald, she would act like a little child and she would ask for money from him. Nora would tell him that she was saving the …show more content…
If you really want to give me something, you might--you might-- Helmer. Well, out with it! Nora [speaking quickly]. You might give me money, Torvald. Only just as much as you can afford; and then one of these days I will buy something with it. (1.33-40) I see a little bit of “Nora” in myself sometimes when I see something in the window at a store, I will want to go in and try and purchase the item if I have the available funds to do so. I stated the theme of this story in the opening paragraph and in simple terms, it is “you cannot tell a lie and get away with it.” During the play, Nora is constantly trying to hide the fact that she forged he fathers signature on a loan from Torvald. I found it weird that Torvald didn’t even seem to have any suspicions as to why Nora was acting out all of the time, but Nora’s rather “kid-like” personality evidently shielded her act from Torvald. Later in the story, after many attempts to keep her outstanding loan a secret, Nora is confronted by …show more content…
Nora! Nora. Ah!-- Helmer. What is this? Do you know what is in this letter? Nora. Yes, I know. Let me go! Let me get out! Helmer [holding her back]. Where are you going? Nora [trying to get free]. You shan't save me, Torvald! Helmer [reeling]. True? Is this true, that I read here? Horrible! No, no--it is impossible that it can be true. Nora. It is true. I have loved you above everything else in the world. Helmer. Oh, don't let us have any silly excuses. Nora [taking a step towards him]. Torvald--! Helmer. Miserable creature--what have you done? Nora. Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself. Helmer. No tragic airs, please. [Locks the hall door.] Here you shall stay and give me an explanation. Do you understand what you have done? Answer me! Do you understand what you have done? (3.222-237) After his outburst, Torvald received a letter saying that the loan has been dissolved and that his reputation is safe. The damage had already been done though, He had shown Nora his true side. In his outburst, he had yelled very hurtful words to her and she realized that she did not actually love him, so she ends up leaving him and rescinding her marriage to
Homework Machine is a poem written by Shel Silverstein. Shel Silverstein was one of the first poets I have read and have taken a great liking to. Homework Machine is one of the many poems that I remember as a child. Although very simple, Homework Machine is still a great example of poetry. In this analysis is will be going over the poetic diction, rhyme and meter, poetic devices, figurative language, and symbolism
But in the first act Nora shows that she isn’t unaware of her true personality and what was going on at the time. Nora has been defying Torvald in very small ways like when she was eating the macaroons and lying about it. But as the story goes on and all of the drama that goes on through Nora’s life, she starts to realize that the truth makes life easier, but also escalates situations which resulted in her walking out on her family to find her independence as a person in society, and to find out if she can make it in the real world on her own.
Nora Helmer was a delicate character and she relied on Torvald for her identity. This dependence that she had kept her from having her own personality. Yet when it is discovered that Nora only plays the part of the good typical housewife who stays at home to please her husband, it is then understandable that she is living not for herself but to please others. From early childhood Nora has always held the opinions of either her father or Torvald, hoping to please them. This mentality makes her act infantile, showing that she has no ambitions of her own. Because she had been pampered all of her life, first by her father and now by Torvald, Nora would only have to make a cute animal sound to get what she wanted from Torvald, “If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very, prettily” (Ibsen 34) she said.
She committed forgery, by signing in place of her deceased father, which of course is taken as leverage by Krogstad, the owner of the note she signed, in order for him to conserve his job. The last day she seems hopeless and willing to assume the consequences, she has a final opportunity at getting away with it by finding out Mrs Linde and Krogstad have unsolved romantic affairs and that he is deeply in love with her. This new development convinces Krogstad to be with Mrs Linde, but unfortunately the previous letter telling everything about the debt and forgery was already in Helmer’s mail. When the night comes for Helmer to read his mail, he finds out about the note and Nora’s mistakes, he is quick to think of a way to come up clean, while at the same time dishonoring Nora for her actions.
Once Nora reveals her deceptive act to Mrs. Linde, we begin to see Nora’s character in a whole new light. One that is much more mature and determined than previously thought. It isn’t until Mrs. Linde accuses Nora of not knowing her hard day’s work that she finally reveals her greatest secret. It is through their common experience of sacrifice that unites them and brings them closer together again. As we reach the end of act one, we begin to see Nora struggle with her new problem of guilt.
Nora is a dynamic character. When the play begins Nora is viewed and presented as a playful and carefree person. She seems to be more intent on shopping for frivolous things. But, as time goes on it becomes apparent that Nora actually has a certain amount of seriousness in her decisions and actions in dealing with the debt she incurred to save Torvald’s life. Nora’s openness in her friendship with Dr. Rank changes after he professes his affections toward her. Her restraint in dealing with him shows that Nora is a mature and intelligent woman. Nora shows courage, not seen previously, by manipulating her way around Krogstad and his threats to reveal her secret. After feeling betrayed by Torvald, Nora reveals that she is leaving him. Having
Nora was wife of Helmer and a mother of 3 children. They lived in a house where their nurse Anne-Marie took care of the children and Helene which was their maid took care of the house work. Nora was a stay at home mother and would occasionally take on little jobs in order to make ends meet. Nora has lived her whole life as a puppet. Her life has always been controlled by someone else; first by her father and then by her husband Helmer. “Her whole life is a construct of societal norms and the expectations of others” (Wiseman). “Nora’s father would force his beliefs on her and she would comply with them lest she upset him; she would bury her personal belief under Papa’s. According to Nora, Torvald was guilty of the same things” (Wiseman). Nora has always lived her life according to the beliefs of someone else. She didn 't know how to live life any other way because this is how she was raised. She felts trapped in the life she lived because she knew no other way of living besides her current lifestyle. Due to Nora being controlled her whole life she seemed childish and lacked knowledge of the world outside her house. At the end of the story Helmer decides to show his true colors once his future was threatened. This made Nora realize that she does not love her husband nor does he love her, and decides that is not the life she wants to live. “Helmer: You talk like a child. You don 't know anything of the world you live
Nora takes great measures to save Torvald’s life causing her to secretly take immoral actions that changes her future sense. Nora had no choice but to seek a loan behind her husband’s back in o...
Nora was extremely ecstatic when she brought up her loan of four thousand, eight hundred kroner. She even describes the loan as something she is “proud and happy about” (1.316). Not only was Torvald’s wish of having no debt defied by Nora’s own action, but she has a sense of pride and believes that her actions were justified without any input from Torvald. Nora taking out the loan was her first step in approaching maturity and independence, and it instilled in Nora’s mind a need for an identity different from Torvald’s.
She starts to play more attention to Torvald after Krogstad threatens to tell her secret. Nora realizes that Torvald only sees her as a child that needs his help with everything she does. As she said,” I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so” (720). She comes to understand that she was merely a doll to him, and that’s all he’s ever going to want her to be. Once Krogstad reveals the secret she decides to leave Torvald when he fails to prove that he truly loves her. As she said, “when the wonderful thing did not happen; then I saw you were not the man I had thought you” (722). She wanted him to show her that he would protect her and instead he got furious at her.
Also Krogstad threatens Nora for if “there’s no point in playing ignorant with me, mrs. Helmer. Very likely; but, to come to the point, the time has come when I should advise you to use your influence to prevent that.” Krogstad intends to keep his little job, therefore he binds Nora. Though One of the most poignant moments between the two is when they commiserate about their suicidal thoughts. He tells her, "Most of us think of that at first.
After asking his wife if she understands what she has done Nora answers “[Looking squarely at him, her face hardening] Yes. I am beginning to understand everything” (835). This statement might be the key phrase of Nora’s realization. The double- meaning implies Nora’s understanding of the actual situation as well as her awareness that her marriage, even though it conforms with social expectations, is far from perfect. She now doubts the depth of her love for Torvald and becomes calm with comprehension as she begins to recognize the truth about her marriage. While she expects compassion for her sacrifice, she is none given. Instead of sacrificing anything to help Nora out of her predicament, Torvald is only worried about himself and appearances. It becomes very clear, after the second letter from Krogstad arrives, that her well-being always comes second “I’m saved. Nora, I’m saved! You too, of course” (836). Throughout the conversation with Torvald, Nora finally realizes, she needs to rearrange her life and priorities to be happy. This implies independence and self-awareness. While Nora finally understands the situation, she is in and what she needs to do but Torvald defines her new attitudes as madness “You’re ill, Nora; you’re feverish; I almost think you’re out of your mind” (840). “However, the characterization has been tied to the fact that she is breaking taboos or challenging conventions” (Langås 160). Torvald is still stuck in his fantasy world of how a wife should talk and act per his standard and the society he stands for. “Nora still has no way of knowing that she is not endangering her children with her presence and in the end, she feels impelled to leave, and her decision is less an act of defiance against her husband and society than an attempt to save the lives of her children” (Brooks
We see a woman who is making a bold action against gender inequality and the position society and culture has given her. As for Nora, we see in this first conversation that she seems entirely dependent on Torvald for her money, her food, and her shelter, despite the fact that she is keeping a secret. This secret is the kernel of her individuality and her escape from the doll’s house. While it is easy to paint Helmer as a tyrant and Nora as the naïve wife who suffers under his control, one must not forget that torvald is not aware of any damage he is causing. His greatest sin is perhaps his ignorance. The shock he shows at Nora’s revelation shows that he has no awareness that there is anything wrong with the status balance in his
When Krogstad, who works for her husband, finds out, he blackmails her to try and keep his job. Torvald fires him unbeknownst to the situation. At the end of the play, the connection between relationships and the tension is shown. When Nora’s husband finds out about the loan, he harasses her, calling her a lunatic. Then, he tries to reconcile with her upon learning that Krogstad has forgiven the loan, but
As the play goes on, Nora seems to transform from her delicate little character into something much more. At the end of act one, Krogstad goes to Nora for the recollection of the money she had borrowed from him. "You don?t mean that you will tell my husband that I owe you money?" (21). Since Nora was wrong in doing so socially, she could not tell Torvald or anyone else about her problem. Not only would that affect their social standard but also Torvald's ego, which inevitably would happen anyway. After Krogstad threatens to expose Nora for forging her father's signature, she realizes that no matter what she does Torvald was going to know the truth. The flaw with...