freedol Nora’s Struggle For Freedom in Ibsens A Dolls House Essay

Noras Struggle For Freedom in A Dolls HouseIn many cultures, a woman is expected to assume the role of the submissive, attentive wife. Often, a womans role is limited by society to that of wife and mother. Henrik Ibsen, in his play A Dolls House examines the consequences of the stereotypical roles of women in marriage. Isben allows the reader to ascertain Nora, the main character, along her difficult journey to regain her ego-esteem and self worth(Durbach 153). From the very first lines of the play, we notice the status quo between Torvald and Nora. Torvald is the stereotypically strong, ennoble husband while Nora is little skylark twittering (Isben 148). Torvalds continual reference to Nora apply bird names parallels Noras image of herself. For example, in the first act, Torvald continually refers to Nora as his little featherbrain, his little scatterbrain, his squirrel sulking, and most importantly his song bird. These images of weak birds stipulate Nora as a weak person. Th e simple twittering, little birds we see every day are very susceptible to cold weather and to expiry and so is Nora. The image of a little featherbrain and a little scatterbrain indicate stupidity. Nora cant think for herself because her thoughts are scattered and unorganized. In contrast, we are light-emitting diode to believe that Torvald is the loving and accommodating husband. He treats Nora like a tyke. She, not knowing any better at this stage, acts accordingly. For example, as a child proscribe by its mother from eating candy before dinner, Nora hides her forbidden macaroons from Torvald. Acting as a parent, Torvald suspects her hiding macaroons from him. He repeatedly asks her if she is accredited she didnt eat any macaroons. Nor... ...ous struggle to break free of her caged prison. In the fountain of the play, she is first weak and child-like. She then gains some strength to stand up to Mrs. Lind, even going as far as helping her, and to adjure off Krogstad. She fi nally, after realizing Torvalds true character, breaks free of her cage and does what birds do shell Fly(Templeton 1636). Works Cited and Consulted Durbach, Errol. A Dolls House Ibsens Myth of Transformation. Boston Twayne, 1991. Goodman, Lizbeth In James McFarlane (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Ibsen. Cambridge University Press. 1994 Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll House (1879). Trans. Rolf Fjelde. Rpt. in Michael Meyer, ed. The Bedford existence to Literature. 5th edition. Boston & New York Bedford/St. Martins Press, 1999. Templeton, Joan. Is A Doll House a Feminist Text? (1989). Rpt. In Meyer. 1635-36.