A DOLL'S HOUSE ANALYSIS-THEMES

THEMES IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 

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Henrik Ibsen handles many themes in A Doll's House. Notable among them are; 

• Role of women 
• Parental vs filial obligations
• Appearance vs Reality
• Deceit
• Secrets 
• Morality 
• Betrayal 
• Money/Materialism 

Themes in A Doll's House

THEMES IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 

THE SACRIFICIAL ROLE OF WOMEN (In A Doll's House)

Women in most societies subserviently undertake numerous acts of selflessness for the sake of their loved ones. Most men fail to sacrifice their integrity but as Nora clearly asserts, 

“It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.” (P 117)

Students ought to understand that more often than not, virtues are rewarded whereas vices are punished.

 In A Doll’s House, the acts of kindness and self sacrifice portrayed by the women are often rewarded.

Anne  

     First Anne the nanny to Nora’s children sacrifices her happiness for the sake of Nora and the three young children. Nora could not understand how she could leave her own child with strangers. Anne says she was obliged to, if she wanted to be Nora’s nurse since Nora had no mother.

          “Little Nora, poor dear, had no mother but me.” (P 51)

She is depicted as an affectionate/loving/caring woman. Nora says that Anne was a good mother to her when she was little (P 51). 

As a result of her selflessness, Anne gets a good place to live.

Mrs. Linde 

    Mrs. Linde is another female character who is depicted as a selfless, loving person. She leaves Nils Krogstad, the man she loved, for a rich man in order to take care of her bedridden mother and her two younger brothers who depend on her. Nora asks her:

“You are proud, aren’t you, of having worked so hard and long for your mother?”

(P 16)

Mrs. Linde married a man she did not love because she needed the financial support to help her helpless mother and her siblings.

Nora: … is it true that you did not love your husband?  Why did you marry him?

Mrs. Linde: My mother was alive then and was bedridden and helpless, and I had to provide for my two younger brothers.

At the end, her benevolence does not go unrewarded, because she feels both proud and glad for making the end of her mother’s life “almost free from care”.  Her mother dies a decent/dignified death (P17). She is also happy of what she did for her brothers who are since independent.  

Nora: And you are proud to think of what you have done for your brothers?

Mrs Linde: I think I have the right to. (P 17)

Ibsen reminds us of the filial obligations that children have to their parents. 

Nora

    Nora the protagonist of the play also makes big sacrifices for her loved ones. She is forced to take a hefty loan of two hundred and fifty pounds (P 13) in order to bankroll a journey to Italy. When Nora and Torvald got married, he left his office job.

‘There was no prospect of promotion there, and he had to try and earn more than before. But during the first year he overworked himself dreadfully … and fell dreadfully ill … the doctor said it was necessary for him to go south.” 
(P 12)

They take the trip just after Ivar is born. What a sacrifice on Nora’s part! She describes the journey as wonderfully beautiful because it saves Torvald’s life albeit costing a tremendous lot of money.

Nora is forced to lie that she got the money from her father because she lives in a society which forbids women from undertaking such financial obligations without prior permission from the father or husband.

Mrs Linde: No, a wife cannot borrow without her husband’s consent. (P 18)

It was absolutely necessary that they go to Italy because Torvald’s life was in danger, “and that the only thing to save him was to live in the south.” Her obstinate husband dismisses her pleas disdainfully hinting that it was his duty (as her husband) not to indulge (in her) whims and caprices. In order to save his life, Nora was forced to forge a name (P 40) and secretly borrow money, contrary to the society’s expectations.

Nora sacrifices herself because she loves her husband. She even commits a fraud in order to save his life.

Nora: That trip was to save my husband’s life; I couldn’t give it up. (P 40)

Nora: I did it for love’s sake. (P 42)

Nora is duly rewarded for the sacrifice when her husband is cured after the trip.

Mrs. Linde: And your husband came back quite well?

Nora: As sound as a bell! (P 13)

She also makes another sacrifice of leaving her children after fearing that her deceitful ways will deprave her little children and poison her home. (P 48)

Nora’s marriage to Torvald Helmer is in itself a big lie. She also lies to him about many things. From trivial matters like eating macaroons (P 7) to more serious issue like the loan she got from Krogstad. When Torvald asks if someone had been at there home, she lies about it (P 43-44). Torvald convinces her that such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of a home.

“Each breath the children take in such a house is full of germs of evil.”

“Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in his life has had a deceitful mother.” (P 47)

She however leaves them under a loving Nanny Anne “who knows everything in the house”    

(P 119)

By leaving Torvald, Nora finally escapes the prison that is the “doll’s house” and finally achieves independence. She breaks free from the shackles of the repressive society.

Nora: I am going to see who is right, the world or I. (P 115)

Click here to see how to answer A Doll's House KCSE essay questions on sacrifice and reward.

SAMPLE ESSAY ON THEME OF SACRIFICE IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 

    Self sacrifice must be rewarded. Write an essay to validate this claim basing your illustration on Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.

Click here to read full essay on sacrifice in A Doll's House. 

THEMES IN A DOLL'S HOUSE  

PARENTAL AND FILIAL OBLIGATIONS IN A DOLL'S HOUSE

One of the themes tackled by Henrik Ibsen in his play A Doll’s House is parental and filial obligations. He outlines how the society believes that the behavior of a parent can heavily influence the outcome of the children. He also suggests that children are obligated to protect their parents.

a)      Parental Obligation

Torvald Helmer strongly believes that due to his perceived immorality, Krogstad is a bad influence to his children and is likely to ruin them. He says that Krogstad has to pretend or lie whenever he is in the presence of his loved ones; wife and children (P 46). 

He says that it is even worse for the children “because such an atmosphere of lies poisons the whole life of a home. Each breath the children take in such a house is full of germs of evil” (P 47). 

He says that all deviant characters have had a “deceitful mother”.

“Krogstad, now, has been poisoning his own children with the lies and dissimulation.” (P 47)

As a result he refuses to allow Nora to raise the children when he finds out that she has been deceitful as well. He is shocked to learn that she borrowed a loan behind his back, and to make matters worse she even forged a name.

“But I shall not allow you to bring up the children” (P 105)

Even Dr. Rank feels that Krogstad is “morally diseased” (P 27)

Everyone believes that Krogstad is a villain. Even he himself thinks that he should clear his name for the sake of his children. (P36)

“My sons are growing up; for their sake I must win back as much respect as I can …”

Nora even contemplates leaving her home to avoid influencing her children negatively.

“Deprave my little children? Poison my home?’ (P 48)

Eventually, she leaves all together.

Dr. Rank believes that he inherited a dangerous disease from his father. He suffers from consumption of the spine (P 53) a disease which he contracted due to his father’s youthful indulgence and immorality.

“He has consumption of the spine, poor creature.  His father was a horrible man who committed all sorts of excesses.” (P 53)

He says: “My poor innocent spine has to suffer for my father’s youthful amusements.” (P 64)

b)      Filial Obligation

 Nora and Mrs. Linde had the obligation of taking care of their respective parents. Nora does not tell her father about Torvald’s illness because the father is seriously ill as well, yet she needed his signature in order to get a loan from Krogstad. She hopes to spare him the worry.

“Is a daughter not to be allowed to spare her dying father anxiety and care?” (P 41)

Although she could nothing to save his life, this act portrays her as a loving/caring daughter.

Mrs. Linde is forced to abandon her true but moneyless love Krogstad and marry a rich man who she did not love (P 14) because she needed stable income to support her bedridden mother whose illness had rendered her helpless.

“You are proud aren’t you, of having worked so hard and long for your mother?” (P 16)

This act of selflessness pays off. Mrs. Linde says:

“I was privileged to make the end of my mother’s life almost free from care.” (P 17)

It is clear that Ibsen believes that both parents and children have the duty to protect and care for one another. Among other themes explored by Henrik Ibsen in A Doll's House parental and filial obligations has been highlighted through characters such as Torvald, Nora, Krogstad and Nora's father (who is a shadow character). 

SAMPLE ESSAY ON THEME OF PARENTAL AND FILIAL OBLIGATION IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 

Both parents and children have an obligation to take care of each other. Write a composition in support of this statement basing your argument on events in A Doll’s House. (20 Marks)

Click here to read full essay on parental obligation in A Doll's House.

THEMES IN A DOLL'S HOUSE  

APPEARANCE VS. REALITY

Looks can be deceptive. Sometimes life is a hazy mirage. What you see is not always what you get. In A Doll's House, the appearance is indeed different from the reality. Ibsen uses the main characters Nora and Torvald to tackle the theme of appearance and reality. Through Mrs. Linde, Krogstad and Dr. Rank, we see that appearance may be deceptive.

The Victorian society has strict morals and expectations of men and women.

Women are expected to be subservient and diligent to their husbands. They are supposed to undertake "wifely roles" and make the home warm, cosy and snug for the husband. They also have the duty to raise the children. They ought to appear pretty and make the home look beautiful at all times. (pg. 8, 20, 27, 30-31, 105, 107, 111, 118)

Torvald says that Nora's most sacred duties are "duties to [her] husband and [her] children.” (pg. 113)

Men are expected to provide for the family. They appear tough and seemingly emotionless.

Nora

When we meet Nora, we think she is naive and child-like. We see a helpless woman who cannot engage in any serious talk, leave alone transactions. Torvald considers her a fragile pet (little lark, little squirrel, little skylark, little song bird, little singing-bird)

(pg. 2, 3, 4, 6, 44, 48, 57, 83, 84, 103) 

He thinks she is incapable of doing anything without his help. Mrs. Linde views her as a child who knows nothing about troubles of life (pg 16). Even after telling her about the loan, she thinks Nora is child-like (pg. 54)

At first, Nora seems like a sincere housewife concerned with pleasing her husband playfully, and raising her children.

It turns out she is not. She is defiant, independent, determined and strong-willed. She is also wise, loving and selfless.

Deceit 

She lies about trivial things like not eating macaroons which are forbidden by Torvald (pg 2, 6-7, 27) and serious issues like borrowing a loan (pg. 37) and forgery (pg. 40)

Torvald: Not been nibbling sweets?

Nora: No, certainly not.

She lies to Torvald and later Mrs. Linde that she got the loan from her father (pg. 13) yet she procured it herself (pg. 18)

Nora: I ought to tell you we had it from papa. (pg. 13)

She tries to keep this big secret from Torvald (pg. 17, 20, 36, 42, 43, 72, 73)

Both Torvald and Mrs. Linde think that Nora is a spendthrift yet she is not. They believe she is a Doll who cannot work but is fond of misusing money. This could not be farther from the truth. (pg. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12)

Nora procured a loan to save her husband's life. She has had to work hard and save money to repay the loan (pg. 12, 20, 21-22)

When the play begins we think that Nora is happily married to Torvald in a happy beautiful home. This is not the case.

Nora: I have fought a hard fight these three days.

Their marriage is full of deceits full of deceit and tricks (pg. 111)

Nora: I have never been happy.

Nora: No, only merry.

We also find out that the maid, and not Nora, brings up the children. (pg 118-119)

Nora is not a simple, doll-like woman. She only pretends in order to please Torvald. The society expects her to act like a helpless child

She dresses up and acts to please Torvald and meet societal expectations. (pg. 20)

She is also concerned about the appearance of her children;

Nora: Such red cheeks like apples and roses (p 30)

Nora: Nice little dolly children (pg. 31)

The beautiful happy home (pg. 20, 37, 52, 108) is an illusion. It was a playroom (pg. 111) full of lies and pretence.

Surely, looks can deceive.

Torvald

Helmer seems like a caring, loving, benevolent husband. He appears benevolent and independent.

When Nora returns home from Christmas shopping he asks:

 "Is that my little lark twittering out there?" (pg. 2)

He refers to her using pet names; this portrays him as a loving husband who cares about protecting his 'pet'. (Skylark, little singing bird)

He talks to Nora playfully (pg. 3)

He gives Nora 2 pounds for housekeeping (pg. 4) and asks her if she needs anything else for herself (pg. 4)

Helmer: But now tell me you extravagant little person, would you like anything for yourself? (pg. 4)

He is an industrious man. He has been made manager of a bank (pg. 11)

He cares so much about his wife's appearance. He forbids macaroons so that they do not spoil her teeth (pg 27)

Nora views him as a clever man (pg. 28)

He paints Krogstad as such a hypocrite that he "literally feels ill in the presence of such people" (pg. 47)

He makes a bold claim that he is not afraid of Krogstad's vengeance. He says should anything happen, he is man enough and promises Nora that he would take everything upon himself (pg. 61) 

He reassure Nora that everything will be okay (pg. 62)

It's also evident that Helmer is concerned about Nora's outward appearance.

Helmer: I am putting a shawl over your beautiful young shoulders ... On your lovely neck ... young bride (pg. 96)

Torvald erroneously believes that their home is full of happiness (pg. 101)

He promises Nora that he can risk his life for her sake. (pg. 101-102)

Torvald: My darling I don't feel as if I could hold you tight enough. 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.

He kisses Nora on the forehead and says: Goodnight my little singing bird. He seems genuinely loving and caring (pg. 102).

The reality is so different from what's visible to the naked eye. When he reads Krogstad's letter his true colors are revealed. (pg 103)

He is insolent, selfish, self centered, rash, hypocritical etc.

When he learns about Nora's fraud and loan he calls her all sorts of names- miserable creature (pg. 103); hypocrite, liar, criminal (pg. 104)

He doesn't sacrifice for Nora's sake as he promised. He only cares about his feelings and reputation.

Helmer: Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future. (pg. 104)

He calls Nora a "thoughtless woman" (pg 104)

He is afraid that if Krogstad spills the beans his reputation would be ruined. He does not stop to think about Nora's sacrifice or her agony. He is self-centered. He only thinks about himself (pg 104-105)

Torvald: Very likely people will think I was behind it all.

He even forbids Nora from raising her own children. (pg. 105) Despite that, he wants everything between Nora and him to remain as it was "before the eyes of the world." (pg. 105) He only cares about reputation and appearance.

When Krogstad sends Nora the bond Torvald's narcissism and hypocrisy are revealed.

He says: I am saved! Nora, I am saved! He only cares about his own salvation not about Nora's happiness.

Nora suffers because of the sacrifice she makes for Helmer's sake but he seems indifferent and consciously blind to this. He is clearly selfish. He knows that Nora commits a fraud for his sake but he does not display any gratitude. Instead he says he has forgiven her. Such audacity!  (pg. 107)

After he is "saved" he claims he will protect Nora like "a hunted dove"- Quite hypocritical.

Contrary to our beliefs, Nora says that Torvald has never loved her. (pg. 107) Nora was never happy in Torvald's house. (pg. 111)

Nora: You and Papa have committed a great sin against me. It's your fault that I have made nothing out of my life.

When Nora threatens to leave him he calls her a "blind, foolish woman" (pg. 113)

Nora thought all along that a wonderful thing would happen. She thought that Torvald loved her and would sacrifice himself for her sake and take the guilt upon himself but Torvald clearly asserts that "no man would sacrifice himself for the one he loves" (pg. 116-117) He is hypocritical and selfish.

Nora considers Torvald a strange man (pg. 117) and indeed he is.

He's petty- He gives a narrow-minded reason for having to fire Krogstad. (pg. 59-60)

Mrs. Linde

Christine appears strong willed and independent but she turns out to be insecure, needy and dependent. She needs someone to live and work for. (pg. 14, 16, 18, 19, 54-55, 87-91)

Krogstad

Krogstad seems like a corrupt, heartless, inconsiderate blackguard when he threatens to and later blackmails Nora in order to keep his position at the bank. (pg. 25, 32, 35, 41, 46-47, 58, 59, 75)

He turns out to be merciful and quite considerate. When he reunites with his old flame, Christine, his humane, sympathetic side is revealed. He sends Nora the incriminating bond thus installing her from the chains of repression. (pg. 35, 73, 75, 78, 89, 106)

He was only trying to save face for the sake of his two boys (pg. 35)

He regrets and repents. (pg. 106)

Dr. Rank

At first, Dr. Rank is portrayed as a genuine friend to Torvald and Nora. He visits them once every day. He is Torvald's best friend. (pg. 14, 63)

His true intentions are revealed when he confesses his love for Nora, Torvald's wife. This makes Nora lose trust in him. (pg 65-69)

SAMPLE ESSAY ON THE THEME OF APPEARANCE VS. REALITY 

Things are not always as they seem. Write a composition based on A Doll’s House to validate this assertion (20 Marks)

Click here to read full essay on appearance vs. reality.

THEMES IN A DOLL'S HOUSE 

SECRETS

In A Doll’s House, some characters keep closely guarded secrets. Notable among them is Nora. Nora’s marriage with Torvald is riddled with lies, simulations, pretense and secrets. (P 111)

Nora keeps many things from her husband Torvald. She is forced to do so by circumstances. Since Torvald strongly cares about appearance and his reputation Nora finds it prudent to hide some information from him in order to protect his manly independence and for the sake of their beautiful home. (P 20)

When the play opens, Nora tells Helen to hide the Christmas tree. (P 1)

She lies about taking macaroons which Torvald has forbidden. He is afraid they will spoil Nora’s teeth (appearance.  (P2, 6-7)

When she tells Christine Linde about her secret (P 17-22) she tells her to speak in a low voice so that Torvald does not hear. (P 17)

“Speak low. Suppose Torvald were to hear...”

Nora tells Krogstad that the secret (about borrowing and repaying the loan) has been her joy and she does not want Krogstad to spill the beans. (P 36)

When Krogstad leaves, Nora tries to conceal the fact that he was there. She asks the children to stay numb about it. And when Torvald asks about it, she lies. (P 43)

“Don’t tell anyone about the stranger man. Do you hear? Not even papa.” (P 42)

Mrs. Linde knows that Nora is concealing something from her (The source of her loan money). (P 36)

When Torvald gives Helen Krogstad’s dismissal letter, Nora begs him to call her back, for her sake and for the sake of her children. Torvald ignores her as usual; unaware of the secret she is concealing.  (P 61)

Helen hands Nora a card and Nora lies to Dr. Rank that it is about her new dress. She also tells Helen not to say anything about it to anyone. (P 71)

She asks Krogstad to speak quietly.

“Speak low. My husband is at home.” (P 72)

They speak about Krogstad’s dismissal and Nora’s secret. (P 73)

Mrs. Linde learns about Nora’s secret (that Krogstad lent her the money).She says it is best for both of them if Torvald finds out about the loan. She almost changes her mind when she learns that Nora forged a name in order to get the loan. (P 79) Mrs. Linde offers to ask Krogstad to recall the letter unread.

She, however, later dissuades Krogstad form recalling the letter. (P 90) She tells Nora that she did not ask Krogstad to recall the letter (No more secrets)

Finally, Torvald learns about Nora’s secret (P 103)

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©Wafula Wekati, ESL. 2019.

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