Symbolism In A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen
A Doll House, written by Henrik Ibsen, is one of this most famous and controversial works. It tells the story about a woman named Nora Helmer, who breaks through society’s norms in order to find out her true identity. Nora lives in what seems to be a perfect easy life. A beautiful home, two loving children and a husband who gives her everything she desires. When her husband falls seriously ill, Nora is forced to do something that women in her society wouldn’t even dare to dream. She forge’s her father’s signature on a contract that would loan her money to save her husband Torvald’s life, and convinces him her father loaned her the money. When Torvald discovers what Nora did, instead of being grateful that his wife risked everything to save
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It is symbolic of Nora and her role in the household. They both are viewed as an object that are to be decorated and admired. In act one, Nora enters the house with a Christmas tree she bought and tells her maid “Hide the tree well, Helene. The children mustn’t get a glimpse of it till this evening, after its trimmed.” (Kirszner & Mandell 786). Nora tells her maid that no one can see the tree until it has been decorated just as when she tells Torvald that he is not allowed to see her dress before the tarantella dance. In the beginning when Nora comes home with the Christmas tree, it is beautiful and so is Nora. Nora is happy living her carefree life and is still in love with Torvald. Towards the end of act one, Krogstand reviles to Nora his plan to expose what she did, if she doesn't help prevent him from getting fired. As the play continues, in the beginning of act two, the tree begins to look worn down. The stage directions describe how the tree is breaking down, “Same room. Beside the piano the Christmas tree now stands stripped of ornaments, turndown candle stubs on its ragged branches.” (Kirszner & Mandell 807). As the Christmas tree breakdowns, Nora is beginning to psychologically shut down. She is trying to find away to stop Krogstand from sending his letter, and preventing Torvald from reading
It is symbolic of Nora and her role in the household. They both are viewed as an object that are to be decorated and admired. In act one, Nora enters the house with a Christmas tree she bought and tells her maid “Hide the tree well, Helene. The children mustn’t get a glimpse of it till this evening, after its trimmed.” (Kirszner & Mandell 786). Nora tells her maid that no one can see the tree until it has been decorated just as when she tells Torvald that he is not allowed to see her dress before the tarantella dance. In the beginning when Nora comes home with the Christmas tree, it is beautiful and so is Nora. Nora is happy living her carefree life and is still in love with Torvald. Towards the end of act one, Krogstand reviles to Nora his plan to expose what she did, if she doesn't help prevent him from getting fired. As the play continues, in the beginning of act two, the tree begins to look worn down. The stage directions describe how the tree is breaking down, “Same room. Beside the piano the Christmas tree now stands stripped of ornaments, turndown candle stubs on its ragged branches.” (Kirszner & Mandell 807). As the Christmas tree breakdowns, Nora is beginning to psychologically shut down. She is trying to find away to stop Krogstand from sending his letter, and preventing Torvald from reading