Blog #4 Independence

Reid Farber

Independence

            Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll House is an extremely insightful play that is still able to resonate with modern readers although, it was written in the late 19^th century. Through the roles of his characters, Ibsen investigates the struggle of expression and independence that woman face with society. This play raises awareness of woman’s rights and helps show readers the importance of equality amongst men and women. Modern readers can gain valuable knowledge from the lessons learned in this play. Using the theme of independence, Ibsen informs his readers of the stark reality of the inequality for women. He explains that women can rely on themselves and control their own life through the character Mrs. Linde and through Nora and Helmer’s relationship.

            Mrs. Linde represents a strong and independent woman who can rely on herself and be a model for females who suffer from a lack of respect from their spouse or in society as a whole. First of all, Mrs. Linde is partly responsible for Nora’s enlightenment to the fact that she is wasting her time in a dysfunctional marriage because Mrs Linde makes sure Helmer knows about Nora’s forgery. When the reader first meets Mrs. Linde, one can already tell that she seems more mature and has faced more responsibilities in life when compared to Nora. Mrs Linde states when talking to Krogstad that she has been working her whole life, showing she can support herself through hard times (Act 3, 78). Although Nora has explained that she can work to make money, she stills has not realized the key to full independence is having the courage to be one’s own person, speaking for oneself and expressing one’s opinions. Mrs. Linde fully encompasses a woman who has this courage when she talks to Krogstad about her feelings for him. She is able to admit that she needs someone in her life to work. She has a void in her life, which is love, but she explains that love will not deter her work ethic. Mrs. Linde exemplifies a woman who can successfully live in the paradox of providing for oneself while at the same time having others in her life whom she can depend on.     

The unfolding of Nora and Helmer’s relationship is essential to the lesson that Isben is teaching in his play. In this unfolding, Nora matures through introspection learning to follow her own goals and live as a free, independent woman. While Nora and Helmer discuss their marriage, the reader is able to see Helmer’s disrespectful view he has towards his wife, bringing awareness to readers of the inequality that exist between men and women. When Helmer argues with his wife he talks down to her as a parent would to a child. He tells her to “stay right here and give me a reckoning. You understand what you’ve done? Answer! You understand?” (Act 3 440). He repeatedly asks if she understands as if she is a child and is too immature to have a real adult conversation. During this argument Nora looks Helmer in the eye showing that she is her own person and is mature.

The play A Doll House has significant lessons in its central theme of independence for woman. Mrs. Linde, Helmer, and Nora all help portray the message that woman can support and believe in themselves. Nora realizes that she can be real person in society and not a useless dependent. Ibsen shows all woman around the world how they should be able to run their lives. His progressive thought makes readers aware that millions of woman have sacrificed honor for love and are not getting the respect and rights that they deserve.