A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen Thematic Essay Example
2 October, 2011
Novel Poster Project Essay
Happiness is a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. In “A doll’s house” by Henrick Ibsen, the feelings concerning the home are not mutual. Torvald thinks that they have the ideal home and a perfect, happy life; Nora realizes that their life is far from perfect. Their home is like a playground, it is only all fun and games—there is no real love or care. A home that is like a playground, and not filled with love and care, is not a happy home.
From the very beginning, Torvald treated Nora like a baby. “Is that my little lark twittering out there?” (5). “Is it my little squirrel bustling about?” (6). Before all things that Torvald called Nora, he would put the adjective “little” before it, meaning it in a patronizing manner. He looked down on Nora from the start, but that’s how she thought it was supposed to be. He treated her like a little kid, and did not love her and care for her like she needed to be loved and cared for.
Nora says to Mrs. Christine Linde that she was living a happy life. “The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you.” (82). Nora believed that she was supposed to be treated like a little girl, just as Torvald treated her. She was not aware that she deserved to be treated like an adult and not a little kid. She deserved to be treated with kindness, respect, love, and care. At this point of the story, she has not yet realized how a husband is truly supposed to act.
Nora compares their house during the past eight years she has spent with Torvald to a playroom; they had been like little kids just playing around, not a married couple. “Our home has been nothing but a playroom…That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.” (288/289). Nora now realizes that they have not been living a truly happy life. Their marriage has been just like little kids playing ‘house’; they had been playing a ‘game’ and not truly acting like a married couple
Novel Poster Project Essay
Happiness is a state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy. In “A doll’s house” by Henrick Ibsen, the feelings concerning the home are not mutual. Torvald thinks that they have the ideal home and a perfect, happy life; Nora realizes that their life is far from perfect. Their home is like a playground, it is only all fun and games—there is no real love or care. A home that is like a playground, and not filled with love and care, is not a happy home.
From the very beginning, Torvald treated Nora like a baby. “Is that my little lark twittering out there?” (5). “Is it my little squirrel bustling about?” (6). Before all things that Torvald called Nora, he would put the adjective “little” before it, meaning it in a patronizing manner. He looked down on Nora from the start, but that’s how she thought it was supposed to be. He treated her like a little kid, and did not love her and care for her like she needed to be loved and cared for.
Nora says to Mrs. Christine Linde that she was living a happy life. “The last eight years have been a happy time for me, I can tell you.” (82). Nora believed that she was supposed to be treated like a little girl, just as Torvald treated her. She was not aware that she deserved to be treated like an adult and not a little kid. She deserved to be treated with kindness, respect, love, and care. At this point of the story, she has not yet realized how a husband is truly supposed to act.
Nora compares their house during the past eight years she has spent with Torvald to a playroom; they had been like little kids just playing around, not a married couple. “Our home has been nothing but a playroom…That is what our marriage has been, Torvald.” (288/289). Nora now realizes that they have not been living a truly happy life. Their marriage has been just like little kids playing ‘house’; they had been playing a ‘game’ and not truly acting like a married couple