A Dolls House: Nora

With the progression of the play, Nora’s persona also shifts from that of a wife who is the everyday playful, trophy wife that is seen by her husband and friends, to that of a woman who is self-empowering and willing. The reader’s first impression of Nora is of a submissive, money-loving, juvenile wife. In the first act of the play, Nora appears to just want money from Torvald, her husband. We first encounter this in the scene with Torvald after she revealed to him what she had bought for the children, Nora definitely does not delay herself whatsoever in asking for money. In fact, even her answer to what she would like for Christmas, her answer is money.

Through this play, Ibsen stresses the importance of women's individuality. A Doll's House combines realistic characters, fascinating imagery, explicit stage directions, and an influential setting to develop a controversial theme. The characters of this play help to support Ibsen's opinions. Nora's initial characteristics are that of a bubbly, child-like wife who is strictly dependent on her husband. This subordinate role from which Nora progresses emphasizes the need for change in society's view of women.

Rather than just being wild, rebellious and undesired, she becomes a character that the other women strive to take after. She suffers the hardships of “being tamed” while showing other women that they can be a bit rebellious and do not need to be fully tamed. This is best seen in the progression of her sister Bianca. At the beginning of the play she is the perfect child. Doing her studies, listening to her father and indulging her suitors, knowing that her duty as a woman is to marry once her sister is married.

The author shows us the different personalities about each character, allowing us to view their strengths and weaknesses. Though out the play the characters show their true intentions revealing their honest nature. Nora is the protagonist in the play and the wife of Torvald Helmer. Nora begins out very playful, and full of life. Her role in the play is slightly mischievous but very loving and passionate.

She explained to Nora all that she went through.“Mrs. Linde tells Nora that she has had some difficult problems and is seeking employment” (“A Doll’s House” 108). Mrs. Linde later receives news that she has got a job at the bank thanks to Torvald. She has to marry for love and take care of her sickly mother and her two younger brothers. Even though she has to work extremely hard and the burden is all on her, it reveals to us her character which is that she is an honorable wife, a reliable daughter, and a devoted sister.

At the beginning of the novel, she does not mind her doll-like personality in which she is babied, spoiled, and demeaned. Towards the middle of the novel, Nora realizes that she is looked at as Torvald’s “silly girl” an... ... middle of paper ... ... Nora Helmer and Gregor Samsa practiced similar circumstances that include their physical changes, unpaid debt, and isolation from their families. Nora and Gregor were trying to escape the controlled society in which they lived in. Nora was controlled by her “flawless” husband and Gregor was attached to the responsibilities he had to fulfill in his household. Eventually, they both escape their controlling society towards the end of their novels.

Nora herself may seem like the ideal woman from her facade. She is beautiful, and poses as a distinguished and childish woman. Only after reading the play for one’s self may the reader discover Ibsen’s criticism that he has so cleverly intertwined within his work. By creating his female lead to be a complete contradiction of the feminine ideal, we can see Ibsen’s feminist criticism of gender expectations. Nora is controlled by her husband Helmer on each and every aspect of her life.

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. Throughout Act one, Nora’s most noticeable characteristic is her child like personality and her inability to understand the importance of honesty. As the play opens on Christmas Eve Nora comes home with an abundance of extravagant gifts for her family.

Royal creates a psychological barrier between Margot and the rest of the family, merely by refusing t... ... middle of paper ... ... life headed for failure. Additionally, as Royal’s search for redemption beings, Margot is brought closer to her estranged family. Whilst her broken relationship with her father is restored, she learns to forgive and overlook her bleak adolescent years. As a result, Margot regains the bravery to return to her play-writing career, aiming for success and prosperity. Another crucial milestone in Margot’s path to happiness is her confinement in Richie.

Then they act and do things accordingly.” (Page 1) Janie is a young girl raised by her “old-fashioned” grandmother who has a fixed outlook on marriage. Her grandmother believes marriage is not for love but it is simply for protection. She accepts her limitations as a woman, having gone through slavery and having lived a difficult life. But Janie has the dreaming qualities of both men and women. She has a different vision of love, seeing it as an eternal and passionate sensation of mutual respect between the husband and the wife.