Doll House

3/24/10
Block 2
Charles
A Doll House

In the book A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen, the title is expressed with great significance throughout the work. In this story, the main character Nora can easily be identified as a doll. There are certain aspects that become clear as to why she can be perceived this way. Ibsen demonstrates a unique point of view throughout the story and makes the reader explore an abnormal comparison for a human being. The title A Doll House demonstrates how Nora is nothing but a “toy” that is constantly living under other people’s commands and authorities. The play A Doll's House has a very symbolic title. The title relates right in with the theme and plot of the story. The author uses this title as a symbol that relates into the story. From a broad perspective, Nora can be portrayed as a doll. She is not capable of doing things on her own, like a doll cannot do things on its own. One attitude that is expressed by her husband, Torvald, appears instantly in act one. “ Is that my squirrel rummaging around?” This first example catches the eye of the reader, when Torvald refers to his own wife as a squirrel. As seen in the context, Ibsen used it as somewhat of a demotion of her status in the household. Other names directed towards her such as “silly girl” indicate a level of immaturity.
Torvald treats Nora like a beautiful and treasured doll who he can dress up, exhibit, and love as a wife. A doll is made of plastic and cannot move with out the help of someone else, this metaphor can perfectly describe Nora and her situation. Nora is like a doll because Torvald babies her and she never does anything on her own. For example, Torvald has to check up on her and make sure that she did not spend too much at the market when she goes to buy groceries. Nora's irresponsibility makes her untrustworthy and unreliable. He must act completely on his own, individually, and in his mind, independently. He does everything professionally independent because he does not want to associate himself with her. Torvald's preference for a toy-like or non-human wife is easily noticed with all the pet names he has for Nora. She is his "little lark twittering," his "sweet little songbird" and "my squirrel." All of these names are factors that contribute to the overall conclusion that Nora is a doll. During the last scene, Nora realizes what she has become, and who she has been this whole time. “ But our home’s been nothing but a playpen. I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Papa’s doll-child. And in turn the children have been my dolls.” She begins to make a point that this situation is only carrying through generations, and nothing is going to change.
The title A Doll House demonstrates how Nora is nothing but a “toy” that is constantly living under other people’s commands and authorities. She spent her entire life being treated like a little girl, a doll. Beginning with her father and ending with her husband, Nora was never in a position where she had to assume full responsibility for her actions. She was simply in the household for the sake of her existence, not because she was needed. The title of this story fully represents Nora and the way she had been treated until this point in time.