Women's Role in Society Challenged by A Doll's House Essay

A Doll House

In Henrik Ibsens A Doll House, Ibsen challenges the role of women in society. He tries to show that women arent obliged to be homemakers, and that they have a right to choose their lifes path, even if it means leaving behind your family. Women dont have to be held back by their household.

Once the truth about Noras deception is revealed to Torvald, he tells her their marriage is over. But to save appearances she will remain living at the house; though unable to see or take care of her children, she would essentially become a slave to her home. Then a note from Krogstad appears and Torvald tries to tell Nora all things are forgiven, and that theirs lives can be better in the future. Nora realizes that their marriage is a sham, and thats when her life changes.

Nora reveals that her whole childhood her father treated her like a doll. Telling her what to wear, how to think, whats right and wrong. Then she says Then I went from Papas hands into yours. You arranged everything to your own taste, and so I got the same taste as you-or I pretended to; I cant remember. I guess a little of both, first one, then the other. Now when I look back, it seems as if Id lived here like a beggar-just from hand to mouth. Ive lived doing tricks for you, Torvald. (Seagull pg 249). Up until this point I felt as if Nora was simply deceptive and money hungry. Then I realized that she knew no other way to live.

Torvald asks her to wait until the morning to make a decision as heavy as leaving, but she refuses and says I wont look in on the children. I know theyre in better hands than mine. The way I am now, Im no use to them. (pg 253). Nora realizes that since she has no skills or knowledge of her own, knowledge that hasnt been force-fed to her, she has no choice but to leave her children in fear of ruining their lives.

The end scene between Nora and Torvald is so important, because Ibsen is showing that without knowing and loving yourself, you cant possibly love and raise your own children. To thine own self be true only works if you know who you are, and Nora hasnt got a clue. In the end, she makes the ultimate sacrifice of leaving her children in search of self-discovery. What Ibsen was trying to say, is dont let other people tell you who you are; otherwise you might wake up one day and realize everything you have means nothing.