Changes in "A Doll's House" Written by Henrik Ibsen

Changes In "A Doll's House"

Written by Henrik Ibsen

A Doll's House's central theme is change from society. This is demonstrated by several of its characters breaking away from the social standards of their time and acting on their own terms. No one character demonstrates this better than Nora. During the time in which the play took place society frowned upon women asserting themselves. Women were supposed to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children, and made sure everything was perfect around the house. Work, politics, and decisions were left to the males.
Nora's first change from society was when she broke the law and decided to borrow money to pay for her husband's treatment. By doing this, she not only broke the law but she stepped away from the role society had placed on her of being totally dependent on her husband. Nora's second change from society views was shown by her decision to leave Torvald and her children. Society demanded that she take a place under her husband By walking out she takes a position equal to her husband and brakes society's expectations. Nora also breaks society's expectations of staying in a marriage since divorce was frowned upon during that era. Her decision was a change from all expectations put on a woman and a wife by society.
In conclusion Nora secessions are very deliberate and thought out. She knows what society expects of her and continues to do what she feels is right despite them. Ibsen, the author, in which to show faults of society, uses her changes. In the first secession Ibsen illustrates that despite Nora doing the right thing it is deemed wrong and not allowed by society because she is a woman. While the forgery can be considered wrong, Ibsen is critical of the fact that Nora is forced to forge. Ibsen is also critical of society's expectations of a marriage. He illustrates this by showing how Nora is forced to play a role than be herself and the eventual deterioration of the marriage. Throughout the play Nora is looked down upon and treated as a possession by her husband. She is something to please him and used for show. He is looked upon as the provider and the decision maker. Society would have deemed it a perfect marriage. Ibsen is critical of the fact that a marriage lacked love and understanding, as shown by Torvald becoming angry with Nora for taking the loan and saving him, would be consider as perfect. A Doll's House's central theme of change from society was made to be critical of society's view on women and marriage. Ibsen used Nora's changes, as an example to illustrate that society's expectations of a woman's role in society and marriage were incorrect. Her decision to leave was the critical view of society.