April 30, 2013
Scanlon/ Per: 5
World Lit Paper
Word Count: 519
Significance of Freedom in “A Doll’s House” In Ibsen’s play ‘A Doll’s House’, Ibsen signifies the importance of freedom by later on allowing Nora to acknowledge the fact that she is restrained. Nora’s character, resembling that of to a doll, allows her to leave the domestic life of her husband’s home which is what keeps her from leaving her adolescence. Not only has Nora been freed by her puppet/doll ways, but so has Torvald by Nora divorcing him making him let go of his marriage obligations. As one may see, the role freedom has on this play can be defined as the main resolution this has on the play as compared to the conflict of being restrained as both a husband and wife. The importance of freedom in the play can be portrayed through various scenes. Take Nora's choice to deal with her own debt as an example, she leaves her adolescence to face the mess she has left for herself and exclaims "Let me go. You shall not suffer for my sake. You shall not take it upon yourself." This as whole can express the tone of which Nora is feeling and demonstrates her innocence leaving. Nora’s mentality has been affected in the way that she becomes a human being again instead of being played and somewhat brainwashed by her husband. She takes full responsibility for what she has done along with facing up to Torvald and deciding to treat him more like a husband rather than act as if he were her father (“Surely you can understand that being with Torvald is a little like being with papa.") Along side with Nora’s innocence fading away, Torvald is also free from his marriage obligations such as maintaining the family together and/or paying for their needs. "Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life's blood, and everything, for your sake." Torvald might say these words to Nora but deep down he does not live up to his full expectations of being her husband. Even when Nora informs Torvald that she no longer wants to be a mother to their children or his wife, he acts as if he cannot live without her but in fact he does not really love her and only loves the reputation she gives him. "Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future." By this statement he makes, Torvald makes it seem like he was never committed to his marriage duties and thus he plays out to be free from Nora and his marriage alas. Overall, freedom is an importance to the play due to its effect in helping Nora discover her true identity and allow Torvald to accept the fact that he was never to true his marriage. The affect that freedom has towards the play can be expressed by the conflict that Nora had in the beginning of the play (debt) leading up to the final conclusion (divorce).
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