FREE ESSAY ON THEME OF A DOLL'S HOUSE

THEME OF A DOLL'S HOUSE

Henrik Ibsen's, A Doll's House is definitely a unique story written by a very intelligent,
complicated writer. I believe he intentionally wrote the play in a manner which would
lead every reader to draw his own conclusions. He forces us to find our own
interpretation of the play in context with our personal lives and experiences with the
opposite sex. The theme may be interpreted by many as a study of the moral laws that men
and women are required to follow by nature. I believe it is primarily based on the gender
stereotypes that determine the role of women in society.
During the time in which the play took place, society frowned upon women asserting
themselves. Women were expected to play a role in which they supported their husbands,
took care of their children, and made sure the house was in perfect order. In Act I,
there are many clues that hint at the kind of marriage Nora and Torvald have. It seems
that Nora is like a doll controlled by Torvald. She relies on him for everything, from
her movements to thoughts, much like a puppet who is dependent on its puppet master for
all of its actions. In the beginning of the play, Nora did enact the stereotypical role,
which she felt she was required to do. In once instance, Torvald feels that he must
reteach Nora how to dance the tarantella. Nora of course pretends that she needs him to
teach her every move in order to relearn the dance. In truth, this is an act and proves
her submissiveness to her husband. Once he is finished teaching her the dance he
proclaims, "When I saw you turn and sway in the tarantella, my blood was pounding till I
couldn't stand it" showing that he is more interested in Nora physically than
emotionally. Nora responds to his remark saying, "Go away, Torvald! Leave me alone. I
don't want all this." Torvald asks, "Aren't I your husband?" implying that one of Nora's
duties as his wife is to physically please him at his command.
Torvald also does not trust Nora with money, which exemplifies Torvald's treating Nora as
a child. On the rare occasion when Torvald gives Nora some money, he is concerned that
she will waste it on candy and pastry. In general, Nora's duties are 
restricted to playing with the children, doing little housework, and working on her
needlepoint. A problem with her responsibilities is that her most important obligation is
to please Torvald, making her role similar to that of a slave. Torvald easily talks down
to Nora saying things like: "…worries that you couldn't possible help me with",
"Nora, Nora, just like a woman", and "Mayn't I look at my dearest treasure? At all the
beauty that belongs to no one but me—that's my very own?" as if she is considered
his property.
However, Nora does eventually realize that she has been treated like a child all her life
and has been denied the right to think and act the way she wishes. When Torvald does not
immediately offer to help Nora after Krogstad threatens to expose her, Nora realizes that
there is a problem. By waiting until after he discovers that his social status will
suffer no harm, Torvald reveals his true feelings; that place appearance, both social and
physical, before the wife which he supposedly loves. This revelation is what prompts Nora
to walk out on Torvald. When Torvald tries to reconcile with Nora, she explains to him
how she had been treated like a child all her life; her father had treated her much the
same way Torvald does. Both male superiority figures not only denied her the right to
think and act the way she wished, but limited her happiness. Nora describes her feelings
as always merry, never happy. When Nora finally slams the door and leaves, she is not
only slamming it on Torvald, but also on everything else that has happened in her past
which curtailed her growth into a mature woman