Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House - Literature review Example

Ibsen wrote “A Doll’s House” in 1879 at the age of fifty when he had already been recognized not only in Norway but outside its borders as well. As Professor Bjorn Hemmer puts it, “Ibsen sent Nora Helmer out into the world with a demand that a woman too must have the freedom to develop as an adult, independent, and responsible person…Although her future is insecure in many ways, Nora seems to have a real chance of finding the freedom and independence she is seeking.

Ibsen can be criticized for his somewhat superficial treatment of the problems a divorced woman without means would face in contemporary society. But it was the moral problems that concerned him as a writer, not the practical and economic ones. In spite of Nora’s uncertain future prospects, she has served in a number of countries as a symbol for women fighting for liberation and equality. Closely related to this theme is the theme of family, familial obligations and the society’s traditions to be respected, which is also an everlasting theme to exploit in literary works.

Living in a family means sharing not only the happy moments, but worries, sadness, and parental obligations as well. Ibsen makes it clear that the Helmer family is not that kind of family. He points out that the man’s obligation in the family is to provide for it, but when it comes to the idea of sharing, there is no way the woman can take any part in serious family matters, business or any serious conversation. The analysis of the symbolism (which is maybe the most important element of the play) should be started with the first door that leads to Torvald’s study.

It represents his sanctuary, i.e. sanctuary of male dominance in general because only Torvald and his male visitors (Dr. Rank, Krogstad, and maybe some other “business partners” of his) are allowed to enter and exit the study.