A Doll's House

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his text also explores the intricate relationship between the individual and society and the roles different classes and genders are forced to uphold to avoid individual stigmatisation within their society.

A ‘Doll’s House’ at the time of production was a hugely moving piece causing great upheaval in terms of women’s liberation. The play was hugely controversial within Europe where in Germany Ibsen was forced to re-write the ending in order to appeal to a middle class audience. Ibsen refers to this alternative ending as a ‘tragedy’ as instead of leaving Torvald, Nora stays for the sake of the children hence reinforcing the values and stigma of gender roles within Victorian society.

Ibsen through his creation of ‘A Doll’s House’ inspired many women trapped in similar situations all over Europe to take action and claim independence. An example of this was when a Swedish woman left her husband and children to run off with another man. When she confronted Ibsen about his lack ...

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skylarks, songbirds and squirrels do not belong in a cage, Nora cannot tolerate living within the restricted atmosphere of Torvald’s house.

Doors are symbolic of a woman’s oppression as it indicates a sense of entrapment from the rest of society. It appears in the play that by closing the door behind her Nora is shutting out the outside world hence emphasising her security and warmth. The door symbolically appears to trap her as unlike the other characters Nora does not open or close doors until the very last scene. The portrayal of doors indicates that Nora feels trapped both in the life society expects her to willingly commit to and the desire for a life of self fulfilment. The ...

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