In A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen tells the story of Nora Helmer, a woman who is trapped in a child-like state by her husband and society. Nora is forced to live in a world where she is not allowed to grow or develop as a person. She is treated like a doll or a plaything, and her only purpose is to serve her husband and family.
However, over the course of the play, Nora begins to awaken from her doll-like existence. She starts to see the world around her more clearly, and she realizes that she does not have to live in a state of constant subordination. Nora slowly but surely transforms into a strong and independent woman, and by the end of the play, she is ready to leave her old life behind and start anew.
A Doll’s House is a powerful story about the transformational power of love and self-discovery. Nora Helmer starts out as a child-like creature, but by the end of the play, she has become a fully-fledged woman. This transformation is both moving and inspiring, and it shows us that it is never too late to start living our best lives.
The protagonist of A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer, goes through a dramatic change in Ibsen’s play. She begins as an innocent and kind housewife, but becomes desperate and perplexed before leaving her husband and all she knows. Torvald and Nora are used by Ibsen to represent the attitudes and beliefs of 19th-century society. By doing so, Ibsensupportively creates a dramatic debate that continues to this day; that of feminism.
A woman’s role was very much that of a child within the household. A woman was not to have an opinion and she was most certainly not allowed to work. A woman’s place was in the home, taking care of her husband, children and keeping the household in order. Nora is the perfect example of a 19th-century wife and mother. She is subordinated to her husband and has no independent thoughts or opinions of her own. Nora is completely reliant on Torvald for both her financial and emotional stability.
When Nora first meets Torvald she is working as a governess. Even though she is employed, she is still very much under the thumb of her employer. She does not have any real control over her life or her future. When Torvald offers to marry her, she jumps at the chance. Marriage would give her the security and stability that she so desperately craves. For Nora, marriage is not about love, it is about security.
Nora’s transformation begins when she meets Dr. Rank. Rank is a terminally ill man who is hopelessly in love with Nora. He represents death, while Nora represents life. Through their relationship, Nora begins to see herself in a different light. She starts to question the role that she plays in society and in her marriage. She begins to wonder if she is truly happy living the life of a 19th-century wife and mother.
The final straw comes when Nora discovers that her husband has been keeping secrets from her. He has been lying to her about his finances and he has been using her as a pawn in his business dealings. Nora finally realizes that she is nothing more than a child in her marriage. She is not an equal partner, she is not respected, and she is not loved.
Nora’s transformation is complete when she walks out on her husband and children at the end of the play. She leaves everything that she has ever known in order to find herself. This is a radical act for a 19th-century woman and it is one that would have been unheard of. Nora’s transformation from child to woman is complete and she is finally able to assert her independence.
In Act I, Nora returns from Christmas shopping and is met by Torvald. The Christian holidays are used to illustrate the battle between a middle-class marriage, while Ibsen uses this time to show Christians’ fights. Nora wants to throw a huge holiday party, whereas Torvald prefers to stay away since there isn’t much money. “Nora: Yes, Torvald, we may squander a little money now,” says Nora (1506). Torvald continues with , “But then it will be three entire months until your raise comes through.”
Nora is always spending and this is a big problem for their marriage, which Ibsen cleverly foreshadows. In the following scene, Nora greets her old friend Christine Linde, who has recently lost her husband and children. “Christine: How wonderful it must be to have a home of your own! A snug little home, where one can do just as one pleases” (1513). This statement by Christine really contrasts with Nora’s life at home.
It is clear that Nora does not have the same freedoms as other women and is essentially a child in her own home. “Nora: When Torvald is not here, I am perfectly free to do what I like” (1514). Christine is disbelief and thinks Nora is joking, to which Nora replies, “Yes, when Torvald is not at home, I am queen of my own little kingdom”.
This line spoken by Nora is very telling. She may be the queen of her own little kingdom, but she is certainly not a free woman. Nora is essentially a child in her marriage and has no real control over her life. Ibsen uses this contrast between Nora and Christine to highlight the different roles of women in society.
While Christine is able to work and support herself, Nora is completely reliant on her husband. “Christine: And you are happy here? You would not like to try something else for a change?” (1514). Nora’s response to this is telling. “Nora: No, no, no! I am perfectly happy here. And I would not have it any other way” (1514).
Nora at this point in the play is just a kid, carefree in her conduct and oblivious to future consequences. Nora sees nothing wrong with spending extravagantly on Christmas. Granted, charity is a good cause since the holidays are about giving to others, but still a parent has a responsibility to know where their children should stop.
Nora is also very forgiving, she immediately forgives Krogstad for his wrong doings when he attempts to blackmail her. A childlike quality that Henrik Ibsen wants to point out. A quality that will be challenged in the later parts of the play. Nora is also quite gullible, she believes that by simply getting a new dress, doing her hair and make-up Krogstad will be magically drawn back to her. A clear sign of immaturity.
Nora’s transformation begins when she starts receiving anonymous letters revealing her secret. The first letter jolts her into reality and forces her to start seeing things from a different perspective. Nora is now faced with the possible consequences of her actions and must take measures to protect herself and her family. She realizes that she can no longer take things lightly and must start being more responsible. This is a huge turning point for Nora as she starts to become more independent and self-reliant.
The second letter is even more damaging than the first. It not only reveals her secret, but also threatens to expose her husband’s role in it. Nora is now faced with the prospect of losing everything she has worked so hard for. She is forced to make a decision: either she can keep quiet and allow her husband to be dragged down with her, or she can speak up and take responsibility for her own actions. Nora chooses the latter option and decides to leave her husband and children. This is a very brave and selfless act on her part, and it marks the final stage in her transformation from child to woman.
Nora’s decision to leave her family is not an easy one, but it is the right one. She knows that she can no longer live a lie and that she must take responsibility for her own actions. This is a major turning point in the play, and it marks the completion of Nora’s transformation from child to woman.
