A Doll’s House Analysis Essay Example
A Doll’s House Analysis Essay Example

A Doll’s House Analysis Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1093 words)
  • Published: November 26, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Throughout Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, various themes are presented in the way characters speak, the title, subtext, and the storyline itself. These themes can be viewed from different perspectives and offer deeper meanings. Exploring the show's symbols and themes reveals intriguing ideas that Ibsen embedded in the play. An actor or director familiar with these underlying meanings would be able to better understand the author's work.

In act one of this play, the main issue that caught my attention was the portrayal of Nora. The author depicts her as a woman of extravagance, but also as a symbol of women during that era who were satisfied with living lavishly.

Throughout the play, the theme that money is essential to happiness is emphasized and sustained. Nora's belief that her husband bringing home money is indispensable to her happiness is noteworthy. This funda

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mental yet crucial idea is exemplified by the numerous references to various currency types and Torvald's pride in his debt-free and financially responsible lifestyle. He even refers to Nora as a "spendthrift".

Despite already requesting money twice in the script, she continues to ask Torvald for money and even suggests that he give her money as a Christmas gift, specifying that he should only give as much as he can afford, so she can buy something later.

The complete opposite ways in which Nora and Torvald view money highlight its significance in their lives. The stark contrast of their roles emphasizes several themes that run throughout the play, one of the most prominent being Nora's portrayal as a child. For further reading on this topic, seeThe Doll's House by Katherine Mansfield.

Torvald consistentl

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addressed Nora with terms of endearment imbued with connotations of childhood. Such terms included "little girl" and "little one". Torvald also remarked on Nora's maternal demeanor and behavior around him, often portraying himself in the role of a father rather than a husband.

Nora displayed childish behavior by relying on her husband for every little thing, including assistance with selecting a costume for an upcoming ball. This behavior was evident in her interactions with Mrs. Linde as well. During their conversation, when Nora disclosed a long-held secret, her childlike manner was on full display.

With the intention of proving herself deserving of attention and sympathy, Nora acted immaturely by revealing a story out of spite towards Mrs. Linde. Mrs. Linde's description of Nora as a "child" acted as a catalyst for this outburst, showcasing the recurring theme around Nora's character.

Instead of a traditional mother figure, the children have a playful friend who lacks maternal skills, leaving their care to a nurse. The theme of children is prevalent throughout the play, with multiple mentions and references. While analyzing the script for recurring concepts, the hidden life that Nora leads becomes apparent.

Despite being an ironic move by Ibsen, Nora's portrayal in a costume throughout the show highlights her tendency to hide. In addition to this, her lies to her husband over several years have led to a relationship built on deception. The costume serves as a visual representation of her dishonesty. Nora conceals herself behind this image and lifestyle that pleases Torvald. However, he would never accept the "real" Nora if he knew her true self. This theme becomes increasingly apparent after Torvald discovers Nora's secret.

Within the

context of Torvald's fantastical imagination, he desires a relationship that is effortless, imaginative, and whimsical in nature. Despite his affection for Nora, Torvald admits that when he behaves inappropriately at social gatherings, he does not truly know Nora but instead seeks to seduce her anew. His desire for excitement and novelty in their relationship is evident when he says, "Do you know why I speak so little to you when we're at a party like this, and I keep my distance but occasionally glance your way? It's because I pretend that we are secretly in love and that you are my promised bride. I imagine that no one else suspects our connection." Torvald's vivid imagination underscores the facade of their relationship.

Although it is not a kind thing for a husband to say to his wife, in their relationship dynamic where he is the leader and she is subordinated like a child, it does not affect her. This made me reflect on the title. "Doll" holds great significance because it strongly relates to Nora's existence, where she lived a life of pretense and concealment. The significance of the term became even more apparent towards the end of the story because throughout her entire marriage, she played the role of a doll to her husband.

The significance and thematic quality of the word "doll" in the play lies in Nora's realization of her true identity and newfound ability to break out of her shell. Mrs. Linde and Krogstad played a significant role in Nora's self-discovery, perhaps due to their own personal beliefs in the importance of honesty in relationships.

While they may have appeared as adversaries at times, ultimately

they imparted upon her the value of being unique. Besides this, a variety of other concepts emerged throughout the play, including time, symbolism of doors, personal convictions, liberty, and introspection. I made note of the frequency with which the word "door" was repeated: 77 occurrences in total. Each character attached distinct significance to the diverse doors referenced within the play.

Both Mrs. Linde and Nora have a connection to the concept of doors. For Mrs. Linde, the door represents her journey from one stage of life to another, while for Nora it signifies something important as well.

The individual is experiencing a realization that their current lifestyle is not authentic and they must discover their genuine self. Therefore, the door serves as a means of escape. It opens the way to an unrestricted existence where the individual can express their true identity. However, it could also signify an entrance to the termination of their existence; the interpretation is subjective.

This show features a captivating progression of themes and interpretations, including various symbols and approaches to development. In my analysis, I focused on the most significant themes that contributed to both the show's advancement and the characters' development. Although each character possessed their unique strengths and weaknesses, the themes highlighted their qualities.

One example of how the theme of Nora's deceiving facade was a life of lies and highlighted her changes is watching her transformation from a doll figure to an individual woman.

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