A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

A Doll's House    The author, Henrik Ibsen, who wrote other social commentary plays (like Ghosts, Enemy Of The People, and Pillars Of Society), made a departure in this plays ending by having the protagonist run away rather than staying to set an example and continuing to struggle for the better along side others. This scenario creates a sad, troubling and for Nora unjustified ending as she, the protagonist in A Doll's House, leaves Torvold, her husband. She destroys any hope that married couples can reconcile differences and learn to change and grow with one another. Nora's exit is a self- destructive assertion of her childlike and romantic view of life, that somehow, someway, things will work out even though there is no plan on her part as to how.   By leaving, Nora, with no expectation of a support system, provides no significant transforming effect upon her family's lives and views.   Nora has an egotistical and self-centered idea about life and this is further exposed when she dec ides to abandon her family. Everyone must compromise at some time in their lives. This leads to cooperation in family and in society and is the essence of survival and growth. Nora's need to be in control and her role playing manipulations, makes her an equally guilty party in the promotion and continuation of a stilted and stifling middle class lifestyle that was Norway in the mid 1800's.    The title sets up the metaphor - this is truly a doll's house. But in this case the main    characters are not only the dolls themselves but the doll master and mistress each vying for    power and control. This is a central conflict of the play. Torvold may be the master in the eyes    of society and adopt a conventionally controlling tone but Nora has the real control by her    power of manipulation. Nora is the one who is getting her own way, eating macaroons and    spending money (and getting more) as her wishes prompt. Appearing confident and happy    she shows no sign of dissatisfaction with the role. She gives the porter who brought    the Christmas tree an over-generous tip despite a lack of money