In the late 1800’s, women’s sole purpose was to keep the house clean and rear children. To do anything other than was considered scandalous and unheard of. Henrik Ibsen went against the grain in 1879 and decided to create a play about a seemingly typical mild-mannered housewife who becomes disillusioned and unappeased with her condescending husband and abandons her life in his care. In the play A Doll’s House, Ibsen uses symbolism to portray the overall theme of sexism through the masquerade ball, the use of the word doll, the macaroons, and Dr. Rank.
The masquerade ball symbolizes how Nora hides her true self from her husband, Torvald. The purpose of a masquerade ball is to wear a mask to conceal one’s identity, or to become someone other than themselves. Nora acts childish, naive, and immature when in viewing of him. This is shown when Torvald chides her for “wasting money again” (1.1 41). He then gives in and gives her more money where she responds in an enthusiastic way and yells, “Money!”, as a child would respond (1.1 75). However, she reveals her true intellectuality and maturity when speaking to Dr. Rank and Mrs. Linde. To Christine Linde she reveals that she “was [the one] who saved Torvald’s life” by borrowing 250 pounds to go to Italy to cure his illness (1.1 277- 286). She also reveals that she is aware that Torvald’s feelings for her are …show more content…
Rank to portray the overall theme of sexism. Through symbolism this story shows sexism and the impact of society. In the story “A Doll’s House” one can conclude that to achieve happiness one must be true to themselves and stand up for their what is right. If one were to fail to see_____ they would not understand the story. The main focus of the play is to depict the internal struggles of a housewife during this period of time and show the great lengths women had to go to redeem
The masquerade ball symbolizes how Nora hides her true self from her husband, Torvald. The purpose of a masquerade ball is to wear a mask to conceal one’s identity, or to become someone other than themselves. Nora acts childish, naive, and immature when in viewing of him. This is shown when Torvald chides her for “wasting money again” (1.1 41). He then gives in and gives her more money where she responds in an enthusiastic way and yells, “Money!”, as a child would respond (1.1 75). However, she reveals her true intellectuality and maturity when speaking to Dr. Rank and Mrs. Linde. To Christine Linde she reveals that she “was [the one] who saved Torvald’s life” by borrowing 250 pounds to go to Italy to cure his illness (1.1 277- 286). She also reveals that she is aware that Torvald’s feelings for her are …show more content…
Rank to portray the overall theme of sexism. Through symbolism this story shows sexism and the impact of society. In the story “A Doll’s House” one can conclude that to achieve happiness one must be true to themselves and stand up for their what is right. If one were to fail to see_____ they would not understand the story. The main focus of the play is to depict the internal struggles of a housewife during this period of time and show the great lengths women had to go to redeem