Discuss Nora Helmer's journey from 'dolly' wife to emanicapted woman in ''A Doll's House'' by Ibsen - Essay Example

10 February 2009 ''A Doll's House'' by Ibsen The play, ''A Doll's House'' vividly portrays a journey of the main character, Nora, from "dolly" wife position to emancipated woman able to protect her dignity and pride. From the very beginning, audience sees a wife, Nora, patronized by her husband, Torvald. Thus, readers understand that Nora is a "slave" of her husband and society as she ought to obey and defer to her husband. Ibsen compares Nora with a little lark who needs care and attention: "You haven't any idea how many expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald" (Ibsen).

In this situation, Nora is depicted as an extravagant woman who spends a lot of money on Christmas presents and home improvements. Yet the play goes well past such meanings and point of view, so that when all the characters and intensities have appeared during the plot development, the play seems to point to something different from what the readers have supposed at the beginning. The first factor of change is marked by a blackmail form Nils Krogsta. In order to save her husband, Nora lent some money from Nils Krogstad, but he found that Nora forged her dying father's signature.

When Nora finds a letter, she matures and understands that the disclosure will cost her love and devotion of her husband and happy family life. As a mature woman, she does everything possible to solve the situation (ask her friend Christine to help her), but fails. In Nora's remarks, readers can find the stages of a repudiation of such a "civilized" development, and this refusal, going deeper than a social responsibility. Though, because social role of the wife is predetermined, Ibsen underlines that Nora feels miserable and depressed.

The symbolic meaning of blackmail helps readers to grasp the idea at once shaping atmosphere of the play. Also, this setting contemplates nature, both the natural world around the narrator and her own inner nature. Another unique setting is Torvald's study. Before he shuts the door he calls to him" (Ibsen). In contrast to this setting, Ibsen includes the setting of room where Nora dances. "[Nora] had danced her Tarantella, and it had been a tremendous success, as it deserved" (Ibsen). Both settings reflect two different worlds which separate the husband and wife.

Specific detailed descriptions of these settings force readers to go beneath the surface and reinterpret life and family roles of the spouses. The next change comes when Krogstad forces Torvald to read the letter. Nora prepares to take her life because she understands that Torvald never forgives her. During this scene, Nora becomes a real feminist ready to fight for dignity and freedom of choice. This is the main reason why Ibsen discusses an important issue concerning low status of women in the society and moral issues connected with it.

The settings unveil poor family relations and symbolically portray different roles of the husband and wife. Through the settings, Ibsen records the changes of the Nora's nature and her desire to overcome husband's oppression and become free from him. The highest stage of emancipation and maturity is apparent in the last words of Nora when she refuses to rebuild their marriage and start a new life with Torvald. Nora replies that it would take "the greatest miracle of all" (Ibsen):In sum, Nora comes through three stages of transformations which help her to become an emancipated and free woman.

These changes can be interpreted as spiritual and moral shock, seeking to work against ordinary life and that of its romantic improvement. Nora changes herself influenced by attitudes and indifference of her husband. Christmas-time symbolizes love and family relations as a vein sacrifice that is painful and sorrowful lasting for decades and causing terrible sufferings and emotional burdenWorks CitedIbsen, H. A Doll's House. 2002.