A Doll’s House- Review Questions Essay Example

his reputation may be affected. This is evident when he states, "What will people think of a man who can be manipulated by his own wife?" He adheres to society's negative aspects and puts others at risk. Krogstad poses a danger to Torvald because he possesses blackmail material about him and his family, which could force Torvald to reinstate him at the bank. Furthermore, Torvald is excessively weak and entirely focused on himself. 4.

The Christmas Tree symbolizes Nora's desire to indulge, particularly during the holiday season. While she believed that decorating the tree was necessary for the household, it was ultimately a way for her to satisfy her own desires. The tree holds little significance apart from highlighting Nora's lack of financial prudence.

Similarly, the Lamp represents untapped potential. Although its main purpose is to provide light, it is hardly ever used. However, it presents opportunities for reading or illuminating the room, which are seldom taken advantage of.

The lamp symbolizes Nora's inner character, deteriorating in her constricting marriage. The black shawl represents the mask Nora hides behind, similar to her relationship with Torvald. Nora's inability to express herself and be independent is symbolized by the shawl, as she relies on Torvald to interact with others. Additionally, Nora is a victim of societal beliefs that deny women the right to independence and grant men control over the family.

The text highlights Torvald's ignorance and the impact it had on Nora. Torvald's comment about never forgiving the woman who plants lies in their child's mind reveals his controlling and fearful nature, much like an abuser in a relationship. This behavior was deemed acceptable by society at that time.

Both Torvald and Dr. Rank expressed moments of affection towards Nora, although Dr. Rank kindly asked Torvald not to see him after his death to preserve their good memories. Nora was trapped by societal expectations but made a wise decision by leaving and finding her true self.

6. Nora was in deep distress as she urgently required funds to save her lover's life. Rather than approaching a bank for a loan, she made the decision to borrow from someone, which meant she now had the responsibility of repaying the loan. Failing to do so would result in her secret being exposed to everyone. In order to ensure that her husband, Torvald, remained oblivious to the loan, Nora offered a bribe to the lender in exchange for their silence. Unfortunately, Torvald eventually discovered the existence of the loan when he received an apologetic and explanatory letter from that individual.

The reason for Torvald's anger was not Nora, but his own inability to show gratitude and be gracious. Though not entirely, a significant portion of Nora's suffering was self-inflicted. Additionally, all of Ibsen's plays address societal injustices and the mistreatment of women, showcasing their eventual strength in cases like Nora or the end of their struggles as seen in Hedda Gabler.

Ibsen aimed to create an impact through his works, relying on controversy to engage his audience. Although the strength of his message was slightly diminished when translated into other languages, it still emphasizes how societal corruption leads to suffering and heartbreak, affecting not just a few individuals but many through a ripple effect. The main metaphor in "A Doll's House" depicts Nora as a doll, perpetually confined within her

own home with no means of escape. Ibsen presents Nora initially as a strong character who becomes manipulated and molded by Torvald, losing many of her own beliefs that were instilled by her father and assimilated into Torvald's household.

Nora's absence of autonomy and restraint became apparent due to her lack of necessity for employing these abilities. She faced difficulties in meeting societal expectations prevalent during that era, which demanded women's submissiveness. Consequently, she felt an inner desire to commence a voyage of self-exploration, liberated from the constraints imposed by society, thus delving into her own contemplations.

Ibsen embraced feminism and often addressed the issue of society's double standards. He maintained that women lacked equal opportunities for self-governance and were constrained by the beliefs and expectations imposed upon them by their male 'masters'. Torvald's controversial comment, expressing his willingness to forgive a man for a minor offense but not a woman who acted to save her husband's life, illustrates the pervasiveness of double standards. These double standards are not confined to Ibsen's society alone; they persist universally in almost all societies.

Ibsen, however, highlights the importance of his own society, believing that the response from the local community is more significant than the general reaction. The role of women has gradually expanded over time, particularly after World War I when they were granted suffrage rights. They were allowed to pursue careers similar to those of their husbands and received almost equal pay. Nevertheless, women also had to confront additional obstacles such as stereotypes, workplace frustrations, and societal pressures without any compensation for these burdens. Throughout history, women have consistently faced different treatment compared to men.

The main question is

whether Torvald truly takes responsibility for his wife's actions and avoids shifting blame. However, he contradicts this by accusing Nora of 'ruining his reputation' as the new bank manager. Nora confides in Christine that she hopes her husband will eventually change and accept her mistakes as his own, bringing more pride than shame to their family. Yet, the consequences of Torvald's actions are not fully considered until the end. Though Torvald accepts Nora's explanation that she no longer loves him as a reason for leaving, her true motive was Torvald's lack of affection. Nora felt unwanted and realized she was strongest when alone, but she needed to escape to regain her self-assurance. 11.

Exposition - Nora confesses to Christine that she borrowed money from Krogstad and forged her father's signature for the Italy trip.
Rising Action - Krogstad confronts Nora about the debt, her delinquency, and the fact that Torvald needs to be informed.
Climax - Torvald unknowingly leaves the letter in the mailbox, and both Christine and Nora anxiously await the miracle they hope will happen.
Falling Action - Torvald reads the letter, confronts Nora about it, and angrily rants about how he is "ruined."
Catastrophe - Nora finally achieves her freedom and escapes from the Doll's House. 12.

Men are capable of doing anything for love. This was evident in Krogstad's rekindled relationship with Mrs. Linde. The friendship between Nora and Christine played a significant role in Krogstad's willingness to apologize for his disrespectful behavior. He felt the need to express regret for the condescending and unwanted letter he had written. It is widely accepted that men often gain clarity of thought when women are not involved in the

situation. Krogstad acknowledged his mistake and recognized Nora as someone who deserved his trust. It is clear that he experienced a genuine change of heart and found a new partner to face life's challenges with.

13. The novel's realism is evident in both its plot and ending, particularly when Nora makes the decision to leave Torvald. This situation and outcome could only occur in a realistic world, rather than a fantasy setting. Ibsen's objective to highlight the unjust nature of society during that time period has achieved excessive success while also falling short in various ways. The closure of the story is what, in my opinion, distinguishes it from any other contemporary work I have read so far. It unfolds like a television soap opera, with every action and emotion intensified.

Ibsen's play is considered realistic because he skillfully creates realistic events and portrays them effectively. However, the way the play concludes is disappointing as it does not provide a proper resolution. Ibsen's remarkable ability to intertwine oddities with obscenities would be lost with this unsatisfying ending. The story doesn't reach a conclusion; it simply indicates that the day has ended. This addition at the end feels like an unfinished ending and offers no real closure, just another day in Nora's life to deal with.

Though controversial, the true ending demonstrates the strength of a woman's determination and her desire for success. Nora yearned for personal achievement and knew that she could not attain it while being constrained by Torvald. The book's ending remains faithful to the characters of Nora and Torvald, as it aligns with their previous actions in the play. 15. Mr. Director, I

am sorry to inform you that we have chosen to stage the play "A Doll's House" with the alternate ending.

We have decided to exclude the original controversial ending from our theater production. We feel it is not suitable to depict women who rebel and escape, and we want to avoid presenting such a character in our show. Although we realize this artistic decision may not be ideal, our priority is to uphold the moral values of our audience above everything else. As the director, you have the authority to cast and produce the play as you deem fit. However, we request that you incorporate the alternative ending instead of the original one. This modification will attract a larger audience and help boost our collective profits.

You do not have to reiterate your qualifications or demonstrate your talent again. Nonetheless, we kindly request that you honor our decision, as it is entirely founded on the consensus of the community.