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Character Change In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House - School Essays

Character Change In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House

Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll House examines a woman’s struggle for independence in her marriage and social world. Through the use of character change, Ibsen conveys his theme that by breaking away from all social expectations, we can be true to ourselves.
When Ibsen presents Nora Helmer, we see a “perfect” wife, who lives in a “perfect” house with a “perfect” husband and children. The Helmer children have a nanny that raises them. By having the nanny, Nora has the freedom to come and go as she pleases. Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, will begin a new job as bank manager, so they will be rich, which will make her “perfect” life even better. Torvald even calls Nora pet names like “my ...

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(Drama for Students 109). Nora and Torvald seem to be in love with each other though. However, Torvald is very controlling of Nora. Torvald makes little rules for Nora to follow. During the time period when the play was written, a husband controlling his wife and making rules for her was not uncommon. One incident of control is when Nora comes home from Christmas shopping. Torvald knows how much Nora loves macaroons and suspects she has bought some to eat. He comments to Nora, “My sweet tooth really didn’t make a little detour through the confectioner…not even munched a macaroon or two” (Ibsen 1566). Torvald didn’t want Nora to have too many sweets because he didn’t want her teeth to rot. This is his way of letting Nora know he has his eye on her. “Some of these rules, such as no eating macaroons, are petty and demeaning” (Drama for Students 109). If Nora has macaroons every once in a while isn’t a big deal. Torvald is making a huge issue over something small and ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 11/5/2007 04:25:47 AM
Category: Arts
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1230
Pages: 5

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