Breaking the Mold: a Doll House Essay

Breaking the Mold The pressure to conform to an ideal image is a reoccurring theme throughout literary works and even in our culture today. In the highly repressive social climate of the Victorian Era, women, much like children, were seen rather than heard. The ideal Victorian woman is hardly desc perpetratetive of Nora in Henrik Ibsons A Doll House. Through careful observation and questioning, Nora recognizes the injustice of the male-dominated society in which she lives.Noras discomposure with as her begin treated as her husband Torvalds subordinate, her realization of Torvalds true character, and her desire to educate herself prompt her to become independent. The most important plectrum that Nora makes is to leave Torvald Helmer, because this pickax is facilitates Noras personal growth. Noras choice to leave Torvald Helmer is influenced by her increasing discontent with his condescending, doll-like treatment of her. Torvald establishes his dominance by calling Nora his slight lark among other pet names.Torvalds authority everyplace Nora requires her to dress up in a costume, becoming what Torvald expects her to be. As Torvalds subordinate, Nora fluidly bends and twists to his needs, conforming to his desires. Although Nora would like to be treated as an equal to Torvald, she knows him well enough to realize that equality is impossible in their marriage. In order for the marriage to function, Nora has to allurement to Torvalds ego by flattering him to ask for property and rendering herself helpless in accomplishing the simplest tasks such as choosing a dress.Small acts of disobedience on Noras part are the primary indicator of the growing weight of the facade that Torvald imposes on her. Eating macaroons and saying to hell and be damned are ii ways in which Nora chips at the mold of behavior that Torvald sets for her. Noras outgrowing of the costume Torvald idealizes is marked by actions such as Noras remark that she would like to rip it into a mill ion tiny pieces. Henrik Ibsen repeatedly illustrates Noras agitation over Torvalds static doll-like control, an agitation tangible to the readers from the very beginning.Noras initial irritation in fitting Torvalds mold is later a significant influence on Noras final choice. Despite Torvalds outward stagger of a perfect home, several unresolved issues bubble below the surface. Nora recognizes the fundamental issues that loom in their marriage when she sees Torvalds reaction to the letter from Krogstad, and her realization encourages her choice to leave. Torvald leads Nora to believe that he is a righteous man through lecturing of Nora on the value of honesty and through promising to be her lifeguard in times of crisis.Even right before opening the letter, Torvald remarks that he has often wished that Nora was in some terrible danger so that he could stake his life for her sake. Although Torvald tells her that he would take on the whole weight should Krogstad take action against th e Helmers, Torvalds reaction when the worst actually does occur is quite the opposite. Torvald is outraged when he cites that Nora borrowed money from Krogstad, and he accuses her of wrecking his happiness. Nora, who originally borrowed the money to save Torvals life, is shell-shocked by Torvalds reaction.All of his actions prior to this event led her to believe that he would have interpreted the blame for her, affirming his love for her. In contrast with her expectations, however, Torvalds immediate concern after reading the letter is saving the bits, and pieces, the behavior. His foremost fear of losing respect in the community is exhibited by his insistence that Nora remain in the household so that it appears nothing has changed. In the midst of Torvalds panic, a second letter arrives, returning(a) Noras bank note.Just as quickly as Torvald exploded in anger, he rejoices in triumph that he is saved. Nora becomes aware of Torvalds selfishness when she asks What about me, am I saved too? Her awakening to the Torvalds priority of the appearance of happiness rather than actual happiness in the Helmer marriage fuels her close to discover a better life. Torvalds outburst ignited Noras inner flame. Noras trys at small freedoms can be compared to wet matches, whereas her final decision to leave Torvald is similar to a brilliant spark of fire.Noras final motivation for her decision to leave the marriage comes from her realization that in addition to not knowing Torvald, she does not know herself. In leaving Torvald she seeks to educate herself determine if the teachings of religion, law, and society are true. In a sense, Torvalds response to Noras attempt to save him causes Nora to save herself. Upon her realization of Torvalds true character, Nora tells Torvald that she is getting out of her costume, both literally and figuratively paralleling Noras exit of the marriage.Nora fell from the control of her produce to the control of Torvald without ever being a ble to develop her own opinions. Nora breaks free from Torvalds puppeteer strings with the certainty that she cannot be concerned about her duties to her husband and her children over her duty to herself as a human being. Nora expresses to Torvald that she must develop her own tastes out in the world. In conclusion, Noras exit can be attri hardlyed to her discontent in Torvalds mold, her realization that Torvald was not the person she though he was, and her desire to become her own person.Minor rebellions indicate Nora tolerates Torvalds parental treatment but is clearly not fulfilled living according to someone elses rules. When Nora sees Torvalds reaction to the letter from Krogstad, she realizes that Torvald only cares about the masquerade, or how things make him appear. The appearance is all Nora has ever known with Torvald, and her critical decision to leave is reinforced by her desire to cultivate a person behind the appearance. These powerful motivators enabled Nora to guess work the door behind her, rejecting the preconceived notions of society and developing new voice all her own.