A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Essay -- Women Roles, Children, Analysis

Henrik Ibsens A hisss House is a 19th century realist play that was the first of its kind to analyze womens roles in the typical household in such a stressed manner. Ibsen created this play for his audiences to become observers to observe his characters interact. As the play progresses, it is apparent that the characters mingle with one other in a very childish manner. Ibsen uses this child uniform action in A Dolls House in order to convey the image that he sees to the observers. Ibsen uses puerility in the characters of A Dolls House to compare gender roles in 19th century Europe and ridicule the common household marriage of his day. A Dolls House is based around the relationship of Torvald Helmer, the chief of a local bank, and his wife, Nora. The foolishness in the relationship between the two is evident primaeval on. Is that my little lark twittering out there (Ibsen 1), said Torvald to Nora. By the use of the pet name little lark, it is clear that Torvald does not have a n dumbfounding amount of respect for his wife, and her response Yes, it is (Ibid) lay downs that Nora has little respect for herself as well. The quotes show the insincere passion the two characters have for each other. Torvald uses other pet call for Nora by means ofout the play like little squirrel, (Ibsen 2), featherhead, (Ibid), Miss Sweet Tooth, (Ibsen 4), spendthrift, (Ibid) and little person (Ibid). Torvalds use of pet names and insincere compliments show an inequality between the spouses. Each of these names show Torvalds incredible lack of respect for Nora and creates a sense that Nora is less of a wife and much of pet, toy, or doll to Torvald. On page 2, Torvald takes Nora playfully by the ear, again demonstrating the relation... ...ss. She does what she deems best and leaves her husband and kids. In A Dolls House, the characters are change into childish representations that are motivated only by self-interest George Orwell would be proud. The metaphor of a do ll house is effective in Ibsens satire of the typical European marriage of the 19th century. Ibsens parallels between the Helmer household and an actual dolls house gives the play more depth, and the thought of women being treated like pets was effectively ridiculed. The characters immaturity is a subtle twist to this play that enables it to get Ibsens point across in a unique way through his characters childishness, Ibsen gets the point across that the average housewife did not deserve to be treated like property with no respect.Works CitedIbsen, Henrik. A Dolls House. Mineola, N.Y. Dover Publications,, 1992. Print.