A Doll’s House is a three-act play written by Henrik Ibsen that was first published in 1879. A universal theme throughout A Doll’s House is that of expectations and behavior, which are not always fitting with the reality of everyday life. A reoccurring idea within A Doll’s House is Nora Helmer’s lack of identity and independence, due to her being confined by the role of a wife and mother. A Doll’s House demonstrates what can happen when a person who lacks an identity is thrust into a world where they have responsibilities, but no freedom.
Nora Helmer functions as a typical housewife within A Doll’s House. Her entire life she has been conditioned to fulfill the role of a wife and mother, which leaves little consideration for any other aspect of her identity. In A Doll’s House she is introduced as someone who does not question social conventions nor point out the unfairness in others’ behavior; rather, she only follows them without complaint (Ibsen). Nora believes herself to be happy, but by the end of A Doll’s House she realizes that her family was unaware of the constraints she lived under.
A parallel can be drawn through Nora Helmer and an actual doll due to their lack of identity separate from the role they are expected to fulfill within society. Ibsen’s A Doll’s House shows how expectations can lead to severe consequences for someone who has no say in what is expected of them, similar to how a doll does not have any choice over its construction or use. A Doll’s House begins with Nora exiting her home carrying a bag full of items (Ibsen). There are many implications about her trip; however, what exactly she is leaving behind remains uncertain, as does the reason for her departure.
A Doll’s House begins in media res, with Nora already halfway out the door when Torvald Helmer is entertaining guests in his home (Ibsen). Her actions provide a contrast between what she thinks/feels and what she actually says. After she closes the door behind her, Nora reflects on how easy it was to leave everything behind, though it clearly wasn’t that easy (Ibsen). The escape from her home becomes symbolic of leaving behind expectations of being someone’s “doll” within A Doll’s House.
Talking to herself while walking through town, Nora repeats several times that nobody knows where she has gone or why (Ibsen). A Doll’s House demonstrates how someone who lacks an identity is constantly aware of themselves in a way that others are not. A unique perspective to A Doll’s House emerges when it is presented from Nora’s perspective, creating a contrast with what has been expected of her and what she actually experiences (Ibsen). A Doll’s House shows the lack of respect for individualism.
Throughout A Doll’s House, Torvald Helmer makes decisions for his children without consulting their mother (Ibsen). While he may see himself as trying to assist or advise Nora, the truth is that he does not believe her capable enough of making such important decisions (Ibsen). A woman’s lack of social independence illustrates the way A Doll’s House subverts society’s expectations of women. A Doll’s House demonstrates that though an individual may appear to be happy, it is only because they are unaware of their lack of freedom or identity within A Doll’s House.
Within A Doll’s House, Torvald Helmer provides for his family while Nora cares for her home and children (Ibsen). He depends on the role she fulfills as his wife to maintain their social status above others who are unable to support themselves without a husband/father figure (Ibsen). A parallel can be drawn between how A Doll’s House treats Nora Helmer as both an object and a doll. A Doll’s House asks its audience to consider the dangers of blindly following social conventions. A Doll’s House demonstrates the importance of individualism and how it is stifled by society’s expectations (Sexton).
At the end of A Doll’s House, Nora appears to be leaving her husband and children forever for a life of independence. However, she leaves with the knowledge that she is acting against society’s standards, but by doing so she is able to attain a personal freedom that will allow her happiness later in life.
Women during this time period were expected to have no thoughts or desires other than those of their husbands and children. A woman was not allowed an identity until she married into one as guided by social norms. A woman who did not conform to these expectations strayed from her role as wife and mother and became unworthy in the eyes of society. By refusing to play these societal roles any longer Nora has declared herself outside the social norms. A Doll’s House is populated by characters that break away from society’s expectations and gain freedom in doing so, for example:
Nora- Leaves her husband and children to gain personal freedom.
Dr. Rank- Refuses to provide medical treatment unless he is allowed personal freedom.
Krogstad- Disregards the standards set out by society in order to attain his own happiness.
Only when A Doll’s House concludes do these characters have a chance at happiness because they are able to live according to their own values instead of someone else’s.” ” A truly free person walks through life unburdened with societal expectations, choosing for themselves what path they will take through life rather than following along with the masses, A Doll’s House shows us that by breaking away from society’s expectations and living life on your own terms you can attain personal freedom.” A Doll’s House is about breaking away from the norms of society to obtain personal freedom.
A central theme of A Doll’s House is secession from society. A woman during this time was expected to be nothing more than a child bearer and house keeper; however, Nora leaves her family in search for happiness, thus leaving behind societal expectations. No other character in A Doll’s house demonstrates this better than Nora She acts on her own accord rather than follow the cultural standards set out by society at this time period.
The actions demonstrated throughout A Doll’s House show how one can gain happiness and freedom by acting away from societal norms. A Doll’s House includes several characters that gain personal freedom and in turn attain happiness, all of which break away from society’s expectations; this is demonstrated best A Doll’s house central theme: secession from society.