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A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen Is a Modern Drama

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A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen Is a Modern Drama
A doll house by Henrik Ibsen is a modern drama whose characters fail to

understand who they really are. The theme of self-discovery can be viewed throughout

the entire play. Nora's character plays an important role in self-discovery. She is a

dynamic character who proves at the end of the play that she accept and discovers who

the true Nora is.

The play begins with a direct emphasis on Nora and her husband (Torvald)

relationship. One can easily assume that their relationship is based on material things and

status. It appears that money is the one thing which is keeping their marriage what is

considered to be happy. Throughout the first act Torvald immediately begins referring to

his wife with childlike names. In the first opening lines he refers to Nora as "my

squirrel." Throughout the play, Torvald continues to uses nick names such as "little song

bird", "skylark", "odd little one" and many more belittling names. The usage of the above

nicknames shows that Torvald feels superior to Nora. He wants to keep her small and

under him. For this reason, he continues to refer to Nora in this manner throughout the

play. Torvald and Nora's relationship can be viewed at first as a happy and pleasant one.

At the same time one may view their relationship as that of the ordinary. Torvald does

not see Nora as an equal. He fails to realize that she is a woman and not a child. He

continues to speak to her in a childish manner because he views her for her appearance

and not for who she really is. It is clearly presented that Torvald takes his position as being superior because he feels that Nora is dependent on him. He believes she is

narrow minded and ignorant because she is a woman.

In the first act it is also indicated that money plays an important role throughout

the play. Nora proves to be an insensitive and self-centered woman when she is visited by

her old friend Mrs. Linde. Her first

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