Sentimentality in A Dolls House and Home Is So Sad - Assignment Example

A Dolls House Order No. 502436 Introduction The two primary works chosen for discussion are the play ‘A Dolls House’ by Henrik Ibsen and a poem by Phillip Larkin titled ‘Home is so sad.’ Though both these works have their own unique style of presentation, yet there are some common factors shared by them. “A Doll’s House” which is a scintillating play, was written by Henrik Ibsen during the period of the ‘Naturalism Movement’ and revolved around the women of the 19th century society. The basic premise of the play was the portraying of women in different gender roles and how they looked after their families by staying at home. In sharp contrast to Ibsen’s poem is Larkin’s poem ‘Home is so sad’. In this poem, the poet expresses the dark vision of home and of human solitude. In this essay an attempt is being made to find out how the poem ‘Home is so sad’ relates to the play ‘A Doll’s House.’ Body Most of Ibsen’s plays depict the struggle between individuals for an authentic identity of their own. This struggle rests against the backdrop of a tyrannical society, with the individual on one hand, and their families and society on the other. In ‘A Doll’s House’, Nora is the chief protagonist in the play and represents such struggling women, suppressed by society. Larkin’s poem on ‘Home is so sad’ also has a melancholic atmosphere as he deals with some of the negative aspects of life such as loneliness and disappointment. Both these works though moody and pessimistic in approach never fail to engage its audiences because it helps them to identify themselves with its characters. The playwright and the poet have attempted to express their thoughts and ideas through the eyes of society. Women in the 19th century were expected to be the typical stereotype subservient housewife, but one would be surprised at the turn of events in Henrik Ibsen’s play. Women in those days were hardly educated and hence were very easily relegated into a corner and never came forward to voice their opinion. Nora was one such stereo type who was controlled by her husband Torvald Helmer, who was very controlling and he looked upon Nora as one of his responsibilities. In the beginning of the play, Nora accepts her doll-like existence, with no identity to call her own. In fact , Nora seemed to like being treated like a child and used this technique to get what she wanted. According to Shaw "She has learnt to coax her husband into giving her what she asks for, by appealing to his affection for her: that is, by playing all sorts of pretty tricks until he is wheeled into an amorous humor" (Shaw, 226) However, according to Clement Scott "Helmers attitude towards his child-wife is natural but unreasonable" (Scot, 222).  While pinching her ear he calls her using pet names like squirrel and mouse, but he clearly understands that she is a “positive hindrance to his ambition” (Scot, 221) This clearly reflects the attitudes of ancient society filled with suppression. In Phillip Larkin’s poem, ‘Home is so sad’ we find the same gloomy atmosphere of existence depicted by the loneliness that is experienced. We see this sadness in the following lines of the poem. bereft Of anyone to please, it withers so, Having no heart to put aside the theft (Phillip Larkinn, Home is so sad,) www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16659 The inhabitants of the house have left and all that remained was loneliness and memories that brought remembrance of the times shared there. In the same manner, in the play ‘A Dolls House’ Nora goes about her duties as a good mother despite the emptiness she feels in her existence, and agrees to do whatever Torvald asks her to. “Yes, whatever you say Torvald” (Ibsen, 872) However, when she finally decided to leave, she bravely confronts him saying, “I’ve lived by doing the tricks for you Torvald.” (Ibsen, 919) She understands that her life with Torvald was like a dolls house and they had been lying to each other about their love, which was no more than a façade. ((Hayley R. Mitchell, 1998) Nora had finally found the courage to express these sentiments and leaves him for her freedom. Helmer her husband feels the pangs of her loss as loneliness envelops him. Everything in the house seemed to remind him of his dear wife and it now becomes his turn to feel the same loneliness she had once felt. In Phillip Larkin’s poem ‘Home is so sad’ we feel the same loneliness experienced by its inmates. After all had left, it is only memories that were left behind for them to remember. The following lines of the poem depict the memories left behind. You can see how it was: Look at the pictures and the cutlery. The music in the piano stool. That vase. (Phillip Larkinn, Home is so sad,) www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16659 The opening lines of Larkin’s poem, is a declaration of the loss felt by the people who lived there. This opening declaration which is the title of the poem ‘Home is so sad’ is more complex than it appears. The house personified just a building, but when it is ‘home’ it holds a whole new meaning. The objects mentioned above had once held so much of meaning because they were used by the inmates but now after they had left, they lie worthless and unused. These personal belongings evoke a sea of sadness that cannot be filled. The emptiness and longing of its inmates can be seen in the following lines, ‘It stays as it was left’ and ‘As if to win them back’ and shows that once there was a home comprising of mother, father and children, but now the children have all grown big, got married and gone their own ways, leaving the parents in an empty shell of a house with only memories to remind them of the family that once was. The home that was happy and joyous with all the inmates is now lost as the change takes place, creating a huge void of loss they now feel. In the poem ‘A Dolls House’ we see the same loss experienced by Helmur when his wife Nora leaves the home. He had taken everything for granted by controlling everything Nora had or was. For example he even had a say about the candy she ate and asks her, "Surely my sweet tooth hasnt been running riot in town today has she?"(Ibsen 874). Unfortunately, Helmer is now left all alone to reckon with an empty life. The protagonist Nora was no more a scapegoat or target for him, because she had made up her mind to break the shackles that bound her to her home. She had decided that enough was enough and that she had to make a change for herself. This statement is very clear when she tells her husband Torvald Helmer in no uncertain terms that- "Ive been your wife-doll here, just as at home I was Papas doll-child.” (Henrik Ibsen, 1608)  Shaw gives a description of Torvald’s character stating that he was “The pillar of society who owns the doll, is a model husband, father, and citizen"(Ibsen, 225). Unfortunately, Torvald knew he could do nothing to make her change her mind about the decision she had made. Nora emerged as a strong and confident individual after she rejected the false union of marriage and the burden of motherhood. The image she now reflects is that of the modern woman of today who likes to live life on her own terms. Her circumstances and experiences had changed her outlook on life in such a way that she refused to be a target of ridicule any longer. This change in her character can be seen when she expresses herself stating that- “I have such a huge desire to say-to hell and be damned!" (Ibsen 59) By the decision she makes we come to understand that she is not in favor of following the plans society has set out for her, but on the other hand she is firm about following her own plans no matter what. In expressing her desire to start a new life, Nora expresses herself to Helmer saying – “Im a human being, no less than you-or anyway, I ought to try to become one." (Ibsen, 1609) This sentence shows that she is determined to break away from her home despite being subservient all these years. (Hayley R. Mitchell, 1998) Conclusion Both these works are filled with personal emotion that is intense, but at the same time sentimentality and self-pity is avoided. One of the major differences between these two works is that while Phillip Larkin’s ‘Home is so sad’ gives up all hope of ever making it the same happy home that it once was, Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ holds a lot of significance and hope because of its positive outcomes. Though in the beginning Nora allows herself to be dominated by her husband, she soon realizes that this is not what she wanted to be and she had the courage and determination to say so. However, the common factor shared between both the works is loss and loneliness which cannot be filled again. In ‘Home is so sad’ we find that things have been taken for granted by the inmates who do not realize that it would change one day and this fact is very hard to accept for those who are left behind. There is a sort of longing and yearning for their loved ones to return but hope seems bleak as those left behind feel emptiness and loneliness creep upon them. In the play ‘A Doll’s House’ we find the protagonist struggling under the onslaught of the norms and rules of society till she finds enlightenment and courage to break away from the norms and lead a life of freedom. Unfortunately, for Helmer, he had to face emptiness and loneliness after his wife left him. This story is very relevant in today’s society and it encourages the modern woman to identify with Nora’s character by the courage and confidence she exudes. References GradeSaver: A Dolls House - Study Guide http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/dollshouse/charlist.html Hayley R. Mitchell. Readings on ‘A Doll’s House’ Greehaven Literary Companion. Pgs. 160. Isben, Henrik. �A Doll�s House.� Making Literature Matter. Eds. John Schilb and John Clifford. Boston: Bedford/ St. Martin�s, 2000. 872-921. Scott, Clement. Review of a Doll�s House.� The Theater (July 1889): 19-22 Rpt. in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism 37. Eds. Kepos. Detroit: Gale, 1991. 221-222. Shaw, Bernard. The Quintessence of Ibsenism. (1891): 82-86 Rpt. in Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism 37. Eds. Kepos. Detroit: Gale, 1991. 225-226. Home is so sad www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/16659 Read More