"The Doll House" is a play written by Henrik Ibsen more than a hundred years ago. It is probably one of the first attempts to discuss the need for an equality between men and women. The inclusion of this play in a "World's Classics" book series tells us about how great this play is. But on reading it I found what seemed to be an inconsistent character.
Nora, arguably the protagonist of the play, is an unrebeling and an extremely submissive wife of a bank manager. She is someone who apparently has no mind of her own and for eight years has done only what her husband has asked her to do. In one day this shy wife turns into a clear-minded un - emotional person who unbelievably leaves her husband and her children - a change / transformation too big in too short a period to swallow.
Nora's qualities until the end of the play are similar to women of that era. She is shy, and is absolutely blindly submissive to her men folk - her husband in particular. Infact they would even chose her likes and dislikes for her, as she says -" Daddy used to tell me what he thought, then I thought the same. And if I thought differently, I kept quiet about it, because he wouldn't have liked it." She would even do away with things that she really loved, such as macaroons. She would not eat them simply because her husband didn't like her to do so for the mere reason that they would spoil her teeth. He even controlled her tongue. She didn't even have the courage to say "damn" in front of him. He was totally in control of her. He would abuse her father and curse him regularly, and all she did was kept shut. .
If, maybe if her husband had loved her, she may have found it worthy enough to sacrifice her freedom for him. But no, apparently he didn't even love her, as she admited later: " You two (husband and father) never loved me. You only thought how nice it was to be in love with me." Whether he loved her or not, we don't know, but we do get an idea of the slavish nature that she possessed, to be able to stay with such a person at the loss of her own freedom - a person who didn't even love her.
The one character that best fits this description is Nora Helmer. Nora is an extremely fascinating character in this play. ... She is the first character to see that Nora is not a child, and becomes her savior. ... Nora was indeed a strong character. ... Nora was a character that stood for women's freedom. ...
Nora's character changes as she comes under great fear of being punished for her lies. With each continuing scene, Nora's character builds and molds until the final scene when her true character reveals itself. ... Nora Helmer, early in the play, demonstrates a weak minded, simple character. ... Fearful of the consequences of her lies, Nora's character becomes ever weaker as she searches for answers from many different characters. Nora's character in fact becomes so weak that she contemplates suicide. ...
Linde, an old school friend of Nora's. ... Nora panics and becomes desperate. ... Nora is a delicate character that has been pampered, treated like a child all of her life, by her father, and especially Torvald. ... As the play continues, Nora seems to transform from her delicate little character into something much more, she becomes desperate. ... He blackmails Nora over her husband's issues. ...
Henrik Ibsen in his play, A Doll's House presents a character that appears to be "more sinned against than sinning." This character is Nora Helmer, wife to Torvald Helmer, and mother of two. ... Nora's actions are justifiable in my opinion, his are not. ... Nora had sinned for the well-being of another. ... Therefore, Nora is a character that was "more sinned against than sinning" by her own husband, Torvald Helmer who did not understand that he was more of a sinner than she was. ...
The main characters in the play pretend to be someone who others would like them to be, instead of being their true selves. The person that stands out the most as a character whose role play is almost impeccable to the point where it seems she leads two different lives is Nora. ... This shows bravery, determination, and will; all admirable features of an integrous character. ... Nora is not only Ibsen's vessel to show women's strong character, but serves the purpose of showing women as equal human beings. ... The person that stands out the most as a character whose role play is almo...
Nora and Antigone, True Tragic Heroines Sophocles" Antigone along with Ibsen's A Doll's House are plays that place the main characters in tough personal situations which must be overcame by personal strength. ... Nora comes off as a whimsical character that is light-hearted and shallow. ... Torvald has authority over Nora and represses her, which gives the audience the impression that Nora is weak and immature. ... Nora received a loan from Mr. ... Krogstad holds Nora's IOU over her head in attempt to keep his job because Nora's husband has just received the job as bank...
Not all women have this character. It certainly is not limited to just women; men are subjects to this character as well. ... In Nora and Mrs. ... Page 2 Again, Nora exhibits her egocentric character by dismissing Krogstad's favor in putting in a good word for him to her husband. ... Isn't that what Nora wanted? ...
In its day it scandalized 19th century audiences, Nora's character shocked theatre goers; for her impulsiveness was unheared of in that era, especially from a middle class house wife. ... The first role you see Nora portray is a child like daughter to her husband Torvald. ... Even though you see her acting like this, Nora manages to get around her husband. ... We see Nora playing the role of a friend to Christine Linde. ... We see here how Nora is not only self absorbed but also very superficial. ...
Nora is a victim to her lifestyle only because she is so nave. ... In a way, if Kristine had protected her from the letter, Nora's final outcome would have caused her "blinded- lifestyle to continue, and Nora would have never found herself. Therefore, Kristine was right in telling Nora that Torvald must find out for the good of the marriage. Although Nora and Torvald's marriage was ruined anyway, it was best the truth be known. Alternatively, Nora had no one but herself to blame for her own negligence. ...