A Doll House Henrik Ibsen Transformation

792 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Nora's character development in a dolls house

Unexpected, undeveloped and improbable, a brief summary of the ending to Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll House. In the ending of A Doll House the protagonist Nora comes to the realization that her husband, Torvald, has been treating her more as if she were a small child than an equal in their marriage. Due to this realization Nora sit Torvald down and tells him she will leave him and at the culmination of the scene, she does. Though the scene has valid intentions, it seems to come short in development leading up to it and in Nora's unforeseen transformation in personality, yet does well in drawing a close on any themes of significance. Development, or the track thereof is one of the major downfalls of the ending. Nora doesn't slowly begin to realize …show more content…

A lark according to dictionary.com is a small ground-dwelling songbird bird. In all honesty, this a very good description of her up until she in the blink of an eye completely becomes something of the other. A lark doesn't just decide to fly one day, no bird does for that matter. First there have to be signs that's it's capable of flying such as wings specifically designed for it or the bird seeing another bird like it flying. Then it has to flap its wings around a bit, fall a few times, then get back up and flap them some more. Ibsen's seems to expect the reader to believe that Nora just decided to jump out of a tree one day and was completely able to fly. There weren't any signs that she was cable of standing one her own once she's left nor were there any sign of her knowing her self worth. Even if Torvald was unaware of her capability of thinking in such a matter, the reader should have at least been shown some signs of it. The argument that with Dr.Rank she was this other person where she was free to think and speak as she felt isn't very valid either. Sure Nora is different with Dr. Rank maybe even a little freer but not much else can be said. Nora goes from "[I love you and] whatever you do is always right [Torvald]" (100) to "[I no longer love you and] you don't understand me"(108). This sudden flop in her views and with such little explanation leaves the reader

Show More
Related

  • a dolls house

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    Upon reading “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, many readers may find the character Nora to be a rather frivolous spending mother of three who is more concerned about putting up a front to make others think her life is perfect, rather than finding herself. At the beginning of the play, this may be true, but as the play unfolds, you see that Nora is not only trying to pay off a secret debt, but also a woman who is merely acting as her husbands “doll” fulfilling whatever he so asks of her. Nora is not only an independent woman who took a risk, but also a woman whose marriage was more along the lines of a father-child relationship.

    Read More

  • the yellow wallpaper

    1440 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...y Torvald: “He used to call me his doll-child, and he played with me the way I played with my dolls…I went from Papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything to your own taste, and so I got the same taste as you-or I pretended to… Now when I look back it seems I have lived here like a beggar-just from hand to mouth” (Ibsen 109). Rather than be “sheltered” (Ibsen 108) by him unlike Gilman’s character, Nora is able to speak up for herself and confront her past.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast A Doll's House Vs Kramer

    1017 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play, the audience sees it from Nora’s perspective. Nora is Torvald’s little squirrel, his little, insignificant squirrel. Nora is worthless to Torvald and she only realizes in the end how foolish she is to think that he will

    Read More

  • Comparing A Doll House, by Henrik Ibsen and Hedda Gabler, by Henrik Ibsen

    1659 Words  | 4 Pages

    ... Finally, rebelling against the patriarchy she lived in required extravagant bravery and confidence. “Nora: But I can’t go on being satisfied by what the majority says, or what’s written in books. I have to think over these things myself and try to understand them” (Pg. 111). The aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid aforesaid Nora became determined to explore the vast views of the world from her own perspective instead of letting Torvald brainwash her with his own ideas.

    Read More

  • A Doll's House Realism Essay

    1918 Words  | 4 Pages

    This becomes one of the main driving forces of Ibsen’s play. (Quote from Torvald and the money). It immediately distinguishes the differences in gender roles and morals in Norway during the late 1800’s. While Nora is willing to give the porter twice what is owed, we assume she is full of holiday spirit; Torvald has a much more sensible outlook on financial concerns. While he jokingly calls her his little spendthrift, he asserts that her lack of understanding is a result of her gender “Nora, my Nora, that is just like a woman” (Ibsen). Torvald believes that her place in the home is simply ornamental, a trophy that serves as decoration for his home. Torvald is constantly referring to her through the use of pet names such as (quote pet names from book) and only ever refers to her by name when he is scolding her. Not only does Torvald see her as his doll, but also as her child (quote near end of story). By keeping Nora dependent and obedient to him, he plays the role of Nora’s second father. Nora eventually sees that her daughter is being treated in the same manner that she was her entire life, as a

    Read More

  • Examples Of Broken Relationship In A Doll's House

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    Very early on in this part of the text, the reader is able to identify signs that show Torvald may not fully love Nora at this point. Torvald announced, “It is to get about now that the new manager has changed his mind at his wife’s bidding” (Ibsen 45). He is trying to say he will not listen to Nora because of what others will think. Even if people might not agree, he should still listen to his wife if he truly loved her. At the same time, Nora as begins to show she might not feel the same way about Torvald as she did before. Nora noted, “My husband must never get to know anything about this. Because she is wanting to hide something from Torvald, the reader is shown she does not fully love Torvald enough to even trust him. While it is shown that they do not feel the same way about each other, Ibsen does indicate that both Nora and Torvald do still somewhat love each other. Nora explains, “Torvald loves me; he would never for a moment hesitate to give his life for me” (Ibsen 50). This quote tells the reader directly that Torvald not only still loves Nora, but still loves her enough to give his life up for her. While their feelings towards each other have changed, they still care about one

    Read More

  • Henrik Isben's A Doll's House

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    to discover and educate herself. She must strive to find her individuality. That the perception of woman is inaccurate is also supported by the role of Torvald. Woman is believed to be subordinate to the domineering husband. Instead of being the strong supporter and protector of his family, Nora's husband is a mean and cowardly man. Worried about his reputation he cares little about his wife's feelings and fails to notice many of her needs. The popular impression of man is discarded in favor of a more realistic view, thus illustrating society's distorted views. Ibsen, through this controversial play, has an impact upon society's view of the subordinate position of women. By describing this role of woman, discussing its effects, and predicting a change in contemporary views, he stressed the importance of woman's realization of this believed inferiority. Woman should no longer be seen as the shadow of man, but a person in herself, with her own triumphs and tragedies. The exploration of Nora reveals that she is dependant upon her husband and displays no independent standing. Her progression of understanding suggests woman's future ability to comprehend their plight. Her state of shocked awareness at the end of the play is representative of the awakening of society to the changing view of the role of woman. "A Doll's House" magnificently illustrates the need f...

    Read More

  • Character Analysis: A Doll's House

    1433 Words  | 3 Pages

    Torvald is extremely cautious about how he is perceived by other people. He would do anything to keep his honourable image, even if it involves him doing something dishonourable. Another way the relationship between Nora and Torvald will end is from Nora’s desire for her own identity. Even though it might seem that without Krogstad’s extortion plan, Nora would have never developed her need for an identity, but she has shown signs of a new identity well before Krogstad tried to extort Nora from his job.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Becoming Independent in A Doll's House

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • A Doll's House Sacrifice Analysis

    2126 Words  | 5 Pages

    Henrik Ibsen paints a sad picture of the sacrificial role of women throughout all social economical classes in his play “A Doll House”. The story is set in the late 19th century and all minor female characters had to overcome adversity to the expense of love, family and self-realization, in order to lead a comfortable life. While the main female protagonist Nora struggles with her increasingly troubled marriage, she soon realizes, she needs to change her life to be happy as the play climaxes. Her journey to self-discovery is achieved by the threat of her past crime and her oppressing husband, Torvald and the society he represents. The minor female characters exemplifying Nora’s ultimate sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Easing Out the Ending of, A Doll's House

    1195 Words  | 3 Pages

    Groundbreaking themes were presented in Henrik Ibsen's play, A Doll's House. The play has shared an important message regarding feminism. It was released in the 1800's, during time when women were not taken seriously. This has made the work essential for humanity to observe and respond to. One of the most important aspects of Ibsen's play was the end, in which the main character, Nora Helmer leaves her husband. This was a shocking scene for unprepared audiences in theaters throughout the world. Divorce and separation from one's spouse and children was not proper to discuss in public because it was not looked highly on. Critics and others who study the play wonder if the ending was too bold for the time.

    Read More

  • Doll House Transformation

    1738 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ultimately, she decides to break away from her husband and children to leave behind the society that has oppressed her. She feels compelled to learn more about herself and what she wants in life. In the play, A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen highlights the negative treatment that women received during the late 1800s and uses Nora to rebel against society’s expectations for the role of women.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Nora In A Doll House

    1168 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • A Feminist Perspective of A Doll's House

    1221 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...dlike mentality and needs to grow before she can raise her own children. Her defiance of Torvald, when he refuses to let her leave, reflects her epiphany that she isn't obligated to let Torvald dictate her actions. The height of Nora's realization comes when she tells Torvald that her duty to herself is as strong as her duty as a wife and mother. She now sees that she is a human being before she is a wife and mother and she owes herself to explore her personality, ambitions, and beliefs.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House

    2013 Words  | 5 Pages

    On the other hand, towards the end of the story, Nora exhibits the independence and

    Read More

More about A Doll House Henrik Ibsen Transformation

Open Document