This is my... this is my playhouse, my dollhouse. And I'm your little doll--I'm your doll and you can pick me up and play with me—pull my legs apart and slap me on the ass--and then when you're through with me throw me in the corner. I'm like a dog who comes to you saying, “Pet me, pet me”
Nora sees herself as a doll or a dog that belongs to her husband Terry. She also describes her surroundings as her dollhouse. Nora initially seems to enjoy her role as house maker and having lots of material things. She seemed to hold Terry in high regards in providing her with the life that she has. However, these things are shown in a new light after all the secrets are revealed at the end. Nora’s role as wife are confined to what her husband wants. She sees that her material things which had made her happy are used to control her.
The pay begins with a detailed description of the generously furnished home where Nora and Terry live. We first see Nora who comes loaded with shopping bags and is followed by her cleaning lady who is also carrying shopping bags as well. Nora is then soon confronted by Terry, who is concerned that Nora is spending too much. Nora hopes that Terry’s promotion will solve all their money woes, but Terry firmly reminds her that it is not a sure thing. He goes on to lecture her on how they need to pay off their credit cards and debts, and they can’t buy a new house and send their kids to private school if Nora spends as carelessly as she does. After being reprimanded, Nora reluctantly decides to return all her purchases. Terry instead says that she could keep it as long as she promises that she was finished with her Christmas shopping.
Nora shows that she feels an obligation to give people presents as ...
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... so was to make her beg for money to pay for the things that were needed. Nora then sees herself as a dog that needs to beg for sustenance. Nora’s cushy lifestyle comes at the price of maintaining appearances for Terry. She is patronized by being relieved of duties that would cause her to wrinkle her skin. Terry doesn’t show much concern for Nora’s enjoyment, only his own. Terry invests in Nora’s appearance as if she was his trophy. Being Terry’s trophy-wife, she sees herself as Terry’s doll. Her life as a doll is solely for Terry’s pleasure; to do what he pleases, when he pleases with no regard for Nora’s thoughts. Terry feeds Nora’s addiction for material goods, making her happy in her role as Terry’s plaything. Nora’s speech is the realization of her life as being totally dependant on her husband, and her duties as wife are aimed chiefly at his desires.
...le that Nora expects and the miracle that actually happens are entirely different. Nora dreams of the day that her husband will sympathize with her and cease to be the dominating figure with the "upper hand" in their relationship. She expects him to understand her struggles with the law and to be willing to take some of the blame himself. However, when he reacts to Krogstad's letter by exhibiting more dominance and control than ever before, Nora becomes more aware of her own individual needs as a woman in society. She understands that in order to be free, she must develop her own view of the world, by setting herself apart from the control and determinism that males have over her life. Therefore, Nora's decision to leave her husband and family is ironic because it proves to be the "miracle" she is waiting for, rather than the one she originally expected. Nora becomes a feminist heroine in the play by showing what women can achieve, but rarely attempt. The determinism that many men force on their women partners in society (in forms of control, dominance, and power) restricts the women's ability to strengthen as individuals, and gain their own self-determinism.
Nora’s character was released herself in a different way, by choosing to leave her current situation and attempt to find her true calling as a women, away from her duties that were only serving her husband and focusing on her children. The symbol of her slamming the door on her way out, along with the rejection of changing her mind after her husband begged her to stay infeciaze on the birth of a strong character at the end of the play. The internal conflict of roles in Nora’s chartchter was showing through the transformation of herself from being a passive, carting housewofe to a strongwelled indepanandt
In “A Dollhouse,” Nora is stuck in a marriage with a rich man who has no respect for her. Nora’s husband Torvald, does not think his
...had the same ones too; or if they were different I hid them, since he wouldn't have cared for that . He used to call me his doll-child , and he'd play with me the way I played with my dolls" She was playing a part she had been trained to play as a young child, she was so use to it , it became human to her to be so robotic . Although she discovered herself late in life three children and all , she finally found her own personal freedom.
So Nora throughout the story her personality and how she handles certain things through the story changes a lot. From being a happy person and having a very loving family with her husband Torvald, but as the story escalates the small lies during the story starts the beginning of a very tough road. From the lies from Torvald and doing things behind his back like breaking the law, and the blackmail threats. All the drama escalates to her ending up wanting to kill herself, but in the end she needed to be on her
Nora has been a doll all of her life, fortunately, she has an awakening that kindles her passion for freedom. Torvald restricts her freedom. Torvald adorns Nora to his wishes and desires and basically strips Nora of her identity. Nora wants a happy marriage; hence, she appeases Torvald. When she is being blackmailed, she believes that Torvald will be her savior. However, Torvald’s selfish reaction to the news is Nora’s auspicious awakening. She knows that her marriage is a sham and that she does not know who she is. Nora leaves Torvald so that she can have the liberty to gain knowledge of the world and herself. Nora’s awakening has provided her with the freedom to fulfill her life.
The woman in this play is a very happy mother, who does not objectify to be a stay home wife, her life is happy and although she was faced by many obstacles before, like incurring into debt to save her husband’s life, she is a happy woman as long as she possesses the love of her children and husband. Life for Nora seems as calm as it could possibly be, but soon after the promotion of her husband and the imminent consequences such promotion will bring to Krogstad, bring a new set of complication to her life. Soon her past mistakes come to haunt her. 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
Weintraub, Stanley. ""Doll's House" Metaphor Foreshadowed in Victorian Fiction." Nineteenth-Century Fiction 13: 67-69. Web. 6 Jan. 2011.
The next work, entitled A Doll's House, deals with Nora, the main character, struggling to achieve happiness in life. While Nora lives with her husband, Torvald, she pretends to be happy and satisfied with life, but in reality, Nora lacks purpose in her life. For eight years, she never discusses her situation with Torvald because she does not want to face the truth about herself. Nora feels obligated to live her life as a caring mother and an obedient wife. Also, Nora pretends to be happy for a reason. Whether she knows it or not, Nora tries to be the ideal wife and mother by letting herself be governed by the laws of society.
Torvald Holmer's refusal to borrow money displays the character of a proud and controlling man. Helmer provided the financial support for his family through hard work, not depending on others for money. When Torvald's law practice did not provide financially, he sought a job at the bank. After Helmer received a promotion at the bank, Nora felt they could now afford to be extravagant for Christmas. Nora says, "This is the first Christmas that we have not needed to economize." Torvald announces that his promotion is not until ". . . after the New Year," so Nora blurts out ". . . we can borrow till then." Helmer interprets Nora's spending of money as wasteful and foolish, telling her "That is like a woman! ...There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt." Obviously Torvald earns and manages the money in the house, and he attributes Nora's lack of understanding of these matters to her gender. Torvald views a woman's place to beautify the home through proper management of domestic life, behavior, and appearance. Helmer demeans Nora about spending in calling her "sweet little spendthrift, but she sure uses up a deal of money . . . " After accusing Nora of being irresponsible with money, Torvald rejoices at her dependence on him stating, ". . . Is my little squirrel out of temper? ...what do you think I have here?" Nora exclaims, "Money!" Torvald finds merriment in watching her happy reaction to him giving her money, and Nora saying, ". . . Thank you, thank you, . . . " This illustrates the helplessness of Nora and her dependence on Helmer, causing him to feel in control.
Nora spent most of her life as a toy. Her father would be displeased if she had separate opinions from him. The masquerade and costumes are her own masquerade; their marriage is a decorated Christmas tree. She also pretends to be the doll, letting Torvald dress her up and tell her to dance. Her husband's use of words, names l...
Nora loves her husband very much, even to the point of idolizing him. As she first enters the home with the Christmas packag...
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
At the beginning of "A Doll's House", Nora seems completely happy. She responds to Torvald's teasing, relishes in the excitement of his new job, and takes pleasure in the company of her children and friends. Nora never appears to disagree with her doll-like existence, in which she is cuddled, pampered and patronized. As the play progresses, Nora's true character appears and proves that she is more than just a "silly girl" as Torvald calls her. Her understanding of the business details related to the dept she incurred in taking out a loan to help Torvald's health shows her intelligence and her abilities beyond being merely a wife. The secret labor she undertakes to pay off her dept demonstrates her determination and ambition. In addition, her willingness to break the law in order to aid her...
Isben, Henrik. "A Doll's House and Other Plays." Google Books. N.p., 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 06 May 2014.