Literary Analysis of A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen

In the play “A Doll’s House” Henrik Ibsen introduces us to Nora Helmer and shows us how spontanesly her design of the ideal life can change when a secret of her is revealed. Nora’s husbands promotion to Manager of the town Bank, leaves her convince she will be living a wonderful life; stress and worry free. However, Nora’s idea of a wonderful life is completely changed when her long-kept secret is revealed. It is Christmas time when the play begins and with a larger income starting after the New Year, Nora is excited for a arrival of a new life. Yet, this ideal life for her begins to change when an old friend by the name of Mrs.

Linde pays a visit to the Helmer household. Mrs. Linde, looking for a job has come to Nora looking for help through her husband; this excitement has Nora believing “He must Christine. Just leave it to me; I will broach the subject very cleverly- I will think of something that will please him very much. It will make me so happy to be of some use to be you” (677). Although, Torvald is happy to offer Mrs. Linde a job, Nora is unaware is has taken one step closer to her secret being reveal. As the story unfolds Nora begins to realize her husband’s ability to give Mrs. Linde’s new job, means Mr. Krogstand the man holding her secret is left unemployed; causing Nora to realize the cons of helping Mrs. Linde. “By matters of business- such as business as you and I have had together-do you think I don’t understand that? Very Well. Do as you please. But let me tell you this- If I lose my position a second time, you shall lose yours with me” (688). Mr. Krogstand uses the powers he has over Nora, to try and keep his job. He explains to her, that if he loses his place at the bank to Mrs. Lindke, he will be sure to tell Nora’s secret to her family.

Realizing what this would do to the wonderful life to come after the New Year, she begs Torvald to find a place for Mr. Krogstand. However, Torvald opts not to find a position for him and with Mr. Krogstand keeping to his word he writes a letter to Torvald revealing Nora’s secret; creating the scene when everything in Nora’s life changes. As Torvald receives the letter, he acts out with rage “It is so incredible that I can’t take it in. But we must come to some understanding. Take off that shawl. Take it off, I tell you. I must try and appease him some way or another. The matter must be hushed at any cost.

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And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just as before- but naturally only in my eyes of the world. You will still remain in my and that is a matter of course. But I shall not allow you to bring up the children; I dare not trust them to you. To think that I should be obliged to say so to one whom I have loved so dearly, and whom I still-. No, that is all over. From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, and the appearance-“(715 ). In was in this spite of rage that’s Nora’s dream of the soon to be wonderful life, is changed.

Although it was shortly after this outrage from Helmer that he receives another letter saying Nora’s secret is safe; it was too late for Nora. The outrage has caused Nora to realize things about her life and explains to Helmer “I mean that I was simply transferred from papa’s hands into yours. You arranged everything according to your own taste, and so I got into the same tastes as you- or else I pretended to, I am really not quite sure which- I think sometimes the one and sometimes the other. When I look back on it, it seems to me as if I have existed merely to perform ticks for you, Torvald.

But you would have it so. You and papa have committed a great sin against. It is your fault I have made nothing of my life” ( 717). This situation has created the chance for Nora realize she has been living in someone else shadows. She is not sure who she is or even her likes and dislikes and with that she ends the life she has been living. “Indeed, you were perfectly right. I am not fit for the task. There is another task I must undertake take first. I must try and educate myself- you are not the man to help me in that. I must do that for myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now” (719).

She is not sure who she is or even her likes and dislikes and with that she ends the life she has been living. When the play “A Doll’s House” began we were introduced to Nora as a character who was excited for her new life after the New Year. Yet, a unexpected visit from a old friend caused Nora to make a decision that ended up resulting her secret begin revealed to her family. As this secret was reveal, it caused Nora to realize the perfect life she thought she wanted after the New Year was not the life she wanted. Showing us that sometimes things don’t always go as planned.

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