Post 2 A Doll's House

Much like a child does after jumping into a pool, when a reader is thrust into a new story they search for something to grab on to; something relatively safe and familiar. Almost instinctively, we look for that one character that seems most relatable and worthy of our affections. But what happens when such a character doesn’t exist? When we first enter Henrik Ibsen’s world in A Doll’s House, we are presented with a pseudo-high-brow-fairly-well-off family with which readers struggle to connect. Even the most understanding and sympathetic person finds it hard to “cheer” for anybody. And yet, as the story progresses, we see characters develop. Nora goes from a blissfully ignorant woman to one who realizes her own self-worth and rejects her oppressor and husband, Torvald. By the end of the play we realize what Ibsen intended to convey all along: the importance of development and self-realization, not for one’s family, husband, or even the readers of a play! but for oneself.

For most people, actualization takes weeks, months, even years. For Nora, however, transformation takes but a mere days, and yet, these few days are chaotic and not nearly bereft of drama. It’s this very stress and pressure that pushes Nora to realize not necessarily the error of her ways, but of the reasons behind them.

From the get go, whether it’s committing forgery or sneaking a macaroon, it’s obvious that Nora has a mind of her own. While she does what she believes best, most of the time she believes “it” is best because it’ll please Torvald. After the climax, when her secret is discovered, it seems that things between Nora and Torvald may go back to “normal.” However things have changed for Nora. She has not only questioned the sanctity of her actions, but the reasons for them. Nora realizes that she has “existed merely to perform tricks for [Torvald].” Furthermore, she notes that in the heat of the moment, instead of thanking or even recognizing the kind intentions of Nora’s scheming, Torvald blames his wife and is nothing but angry with her. After seeing his true colors and realizing the reality of her situation, Nora decides she can no longer simply return to the way things were.

“As soon as your fear was over - and it was not fear for what threatened me, but for what might happen to you - when the whole thing was past, as far as you were concerned it was exactly as if nothing at all had happened. Exactly as before, I was your little skylark, your doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentle care, because it was so brittle and fragile. Torvald - itw as then it dawned upon me that for eight years I had been living here with a strange man, and had borne him three children. Oh! I can’t bear to think of it! I could tear myself into little bits!”

(Act III)