1879 the Play a Doll’s House, Essay Example

Written in 1879 the play “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen became one of his best works and is widely studied the universities and schools nowadays. When first published the work has received numerous critical and controversial disapprovals because the plot of the story touched the marriage norms of the 19^th century. Being very bold for the time of when it was written, author was even obligated to write a second ending of the script in order to use it when it was really necessary. Often called a feminist play, it is an important work of naturalist movement where situations that happened on stage were depicted in a departure of preceding forms such as romanticism. Moreover, in 2001 the significance of the play “A Doll’s House” was recognized by UNESCO when its author Henrik Ibsen gave out autographed manuscripts of the play to the Memory of the World Register in acknowledgment of their valuable historical essence.

In the theatrical and literary worlds Henrik Ibsen is known for his true contribution to the studies of individualism as well as social isolationism. Majority of his most famous works vividly illustrate strong females imprisoned by the norms of the society, caught inside of their doll’s houses and unable to honestly find their own self and their voices within. This struggle of females has brought Ibsen his world recognition, respect and acclaim. “The “meaning” of Ibsen’s plays is simply that they capture the “quality of life” and thus belong to “civilization.” (Ibsen Studies) His works written over a century ago today are in high demand and are being produced around the globe.

“A Doll’s House” play begins by introducing the audience to Nora Helmer and her husband, Torvald, who has been promoted to a position of the manager and will continue maintaining his wife’s nice lifestyle of shopping and spending money. Family friends, Dr. Rank and Kristina Linde, who visit their house on a daily visit, become a part of the play story.

The main plot of the play includes a difficult dilemma of Nora Helmer who engaged into financial deal, namely taking a loan, from Nils Krogstad, a barrister from the bank. Man is blackmailing woman and threatens to ruin her family and their noble title. Having revealed her secret to Kristina about borrowing money from Nils Krogstad, Nora finds an ally who will try to help to solve the situation. Throughout the story Nora is constantly worrying about that when her husband finds out, it will be the end of the relationship because the man will never believe her again.

When Torvald finally finds out the truth through letters sent by Krostad, he explodes in screaming and calling his wife a hypocrite and a liar. He is blaming her for destroying their family and reputation. Nora modestly takes all the offenses and tirade. When Torvald reads the second letter which says that Krogstad is taking all the financial obligations off, he rejoices. He is thrilled that the family will indeed save their good face and the family. Everything will go back to their doll’s house, to children.

However, the damage is done and there is no way back. Nora makes a decision to withdraw. Having just witnessed her husband’s cruelty and concern solely about his own pride and name, the woman is not willing to go back to what they were before. She says to Torvald that she cannot live with a man who is a total stranger to her and she is going to leave him. Only miracle she says can save this marriage. And as the story goes, Nora leaves her home, her husband and her children making all the prior arrangements for servants to take care of her kids. Nora is off to start her new life.

From the plot the reader is able to see that “A Doll’s House” criticizes the traditional roles of women and men in the 19^th century. “People all over the world are moved by Henrik Ibsen’s writings.” (News of Norway) This story for many European citizens on those times was very scandalous and controversial. There was nothing else as holy as the marriage. Therefore, to picture the story in the way Ibsen did was totally unacceptable. No matter the norms, there still were some people who found author’s willingness to scrutinize the society without any prejudice and stereotype thrilling.

“It’s an extraordinary, strange and unique play.” (The Guardian) Historically some females who were being recruited to play Nora in theatres refused to do so unless the plot ending was different. And this fact did lead Ibsen to write a second ending. In the second version Nora gives her husband a second chance which is exactly what the people of those times were used to hearing. This was a norm and a standard of the society. In some countries the play was even banned from being staged and this allows making a conclusion that such controversial opinions were not welcomed in 19^th century. This matter allows readers to think about the real historical essence of a woman. No matter the known norms and standards of Europe of 19^th century, seeing a one true story of one woman, it is obvious that no everything went well for females during those times. Women were not allowed to protest but it did not mean that they did not want to. Nora is a representation of one of those women who took courage fighting for her rights and her happiness. Norms are norms but if they violate your personal freedom, you have to speak up.

Self-discovery of Nora as a human being and as a woman was a strange notion for the 19^th century Europeans. Public was not used to thinking so openly and boldly. Moreover, in the story the reader is able to see that Nora and another character Dr. Rank are being punished for the irresponsibility of their own fathers. In the case of Nora, she is suffering from for the father she possibly married to protect. Dr. Rank on the other hand is suffering for the father who has infected his family because the son himself died by the end of the story from a disease. The sickness of Dr. Rank has become a so-called metaphor for a poison that contaminated the family of Helmers, their marriage and the society in general. Another main character, Mrs. Linde, in the play also proves to be a woman role model because, being forced by circumstances, she was able to find a resourceful woman inside of her.

Another interesting aspect the story touches is the general belief all characters have that the parent must be honest because the immorality of one can pass on and influence the child. In the case of Dr. Rank, for instance, it is obvious that the man is suffering from a bad disease that passed on to him from his father. Writer draws parallel here that means that parents should be held responsible for their own deeds. Otherwise, it will be children who will have to pay back. Torvald also has a very strict policy about lying and wrong behavior. He tells Nora that majority of criminals are lying mothers and he forbids her from any contact with the children after he finds out the truth about her own lie.

However, play also allows understanding that children are also obligated to protect and help their parents. In Nora’s case woman made a decision to be with her sick husband instead of her father. She is sacrificing herself in this situation in order to help Torvald.

Nora indeed proves to be a very intelligent person. She is not just a silly girl that her husband thinks she is. Woman understands business and its peculiarities; she takes care of her husband and children. She is a one determined female. Nora is an untypical woman for that century because she is not afraid to take matters into her own hands. Close to the end of the story Nora comes to understanding that inside of her marriage she is playing a role. She is not living her life; she is mostly pretending to be someone she is not. Therefore, her awakening that readers view is a result of her own personal struggle. Torvald was the last drop into Nora’s breakthrough. She is now free. Nora can now pursue the life that she thinks she deserves.

To some extent it is possible to say that Nora symbolizes women of future. In the century where she lives, women have an established place by society rules. They are allowed some things that are considered to be the standard. Nora is one of those few brave females who are willing and able to question the system they live it. She is willingly protesting against what she considers wrong and dishonest. Nora sacrifices her children whom she dearly loves, and she moves on with her believes.

“A Doll’s House” shows readers a sacrificial role of a woman of the 19^th century. Women were trapped in the norms of the society. They even had to abandon their beloved ones to marry richer men. “Ibsen always did love shocker endings. In “A Doll’s House,” it’s the slamming of a door, when a marriage is the fatality.” (The New York Times) Nora had a difficult life because she was dictated by society that her husband must be the only dominant partner in the marriage. She had to work in secret and she was very vulnerable to the blackmailing of Krogstad. The very sad ending of Nora leaving her children shows that it was a true act of self-sacrifice. The woman chose to leave because she was afraid to corrupt her kids. Woman cared for them very much and made a decision that a nanny is a much better mother sample of 19^th century than herself.

Works Cited

Bentley, Eric. “What Ibsen Has Meant.” Ibsen Studies Vol. IV (2004): 103-104

Gates, Anita. “A Man of Power and the Women Who Worship Him.” The New York Times. 25 September 2009 http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/nyregion /27theaterct.html

Moi, Toril. “The World on Henrik Ibsen.” News of Norway.  Vol. 64 (2006) http:// www.norway.org/NR/rdonlyres/E619E3DF52164332963E744C323B 0C85/51258/NewsofNorway207.pdf

O’Mahony, John. “A Happy Marriage.” The Guardian. 24 April 2008 http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/apr/24/theatre1