Nora\'s Independence Day in Ibsen\'s a Doll\'s

Nora's Independence Day in Ibsen's a Doll's House

Henrik Ibsen's play, "A Doll's House," is all about truth, reality, and independence. These things almost always go together and Ibsen's play demonstrates how this is true. Ibsen emphasizes Nora's situation by placing her in a society that does not fully appreciate women. Therefore, for Nora to grow and become complete, she must attempt to do it on her own. It is difficult to reach out and grab your independence when the society in which you live does not support this kind of behavior but Nora does it and, at the time of its publication, the play was shocking and inspiring.

"A Doll's House" is a realist play in that it is believable to audiences. The setting, the characters, and the plot are realistic and audiences to not feel as though they are traveling to another world when they watch this play. They are instead brought into an environment that is very much like their own. The play takes place in the couple's home and there are no outrageous aspects to the setting. This aspect of drama, while it seems natural today, was not common among plays in the nineteenth century.

Another aspect of the drama that lends it to realism is the fact that Ibsen is addressing a social issue in the play. He makes a very clear statement about women and their needs to be free at a tie when fighting for women's rights had not yet become vogue. The struggle between man and wife is seen through a different light as Nora begins to discover her true self. This play is realistic in that it shows characters in a constant state of change, which when slow down long enough to admit it, is exactly how we live our lives from day-to-day.

Ibsen is noted for establishing memorable characters. Nora is one of those characters because she undergoes a radical transformation by the play's conclusion. Part of what makes Nora's transformation so incredible is the fact that she lives in the nineteenth century when most women were living oppressed lives. The primary expectation for women during this era was simply to have a family: to be a good wife and mother. Life beyond these things was not anything of their concern and for Nora, it was no different. Ibsen places Nora in this setting to highlight the importance and freedom, individuality, and independence. Nora is a typical housewife; she listens to her husband and plays along with the little games husbands and wives play with each to make it from day-to-day. Nora, for all intents and purposes, is content. We can assume that much of this contentment is because she is shallow. Nora may be the picture perfect little wife but she is also self-absorbed and selfish. She boasts about Torvald's promotion, telling Mrs. Linde there will be "heaps of money" (Ibsen 123) to spend. She thinks money can solves a multitude of problems and as long as she believes this, she is fine in her bubble.

The problem with Nora's bubble is that it will eventually burst. For Nora, truth comes in the agonizing form of knowledge about her husband. While we do not doubt she loved him, we also know she can never see him the way she did before she knew the truth. His reaction to her forgery reveals how he actually thinks about her, which is shocking and brutal. Torvald cannot see how she did this for him and calls her a "hypocrite, a liar . . . A criminal" (190). He accuses her of ruining his chance at happiness and he never sees what she did as an act of love. Nora sees his hypocrisy when he realizes things will work out. Nora finally sees Torvald for who he is, not the man she married. While she was married, Nora tried to live up to Torvald's ideals. She admits she was like Torvald's doll. When she realizes this, she feels as though she must leave. She tells Torvald, "I must stand quite alone if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason I cannot remain with you any longer" (196). She does not expect him to understand and she does not care. She is on the road to individuality and independence when she tells him, "I can no longer content myself with what most people say or with what is found in books. I must think things over for myself and get to understand them" (197). The ultimate transformation includes realizing the truth about yourself and others and Ibsen establishes this with the character of Nora.

The conflict of the drama revolves around truth. The truth hides behind empty actions. Nora endures Torvald calling her a "featherhead" (116) and his disparaging comments about women. He criticizes the food she eats, making her feel so guilty she lies about eating sweets. Lying seems easier than his constant complaining and she plays the game by saying such things as, "I should not think of going against your wishes" (119). She complains, telling him that the things she thinks about are "silly and insignificant" (146) to him and his only response is, "Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?" (146). The conflict with this couple is actually a long time in the making. How the problem surfaces does not matter as much as the fact that the truth finally does emerge.

Things are rarely as they seem and Ibsen makes this point with Nora and Torvald. Both characters must face reality at one point or another. This theme is significant because it reveals husband and wife in their true colors as it allows for Nora to grow. Individuality requires standing on one's own two feet and accepting the risks and sacrifices that brings. Nora is willing to do this even though it seems to be at an incredible price. However, from Nora's perspective, leaving is the only way she can truly embark on her new life. Everything she shared with Torvald was nothing but a lie and that includes everything from her home to her children. The only way to become who she actually is occurs through letting go of all things old.