Also throughout the entire play, the doors play significant roles, especially as a symbol. To the reader, it is a constant barrier from Torvald (society's men) and Nora (women of society). It sets a social standard between the married couple, too.
Another important symbol in A Doll's House is that of Dr. Rank's illness, TB of the spine. Here, Dr. Rank's spine, his backbone, is diseased. Through dishonesty and lack of communication, this foreshadows the idea that Torvald and Nora's marriage is diseased as well.
The domino, a long loose hooded cloak usually worn with half a mask as a masquerade costume, worn by Torvald also stands as a symbol in the play. He wears this before he becomes aware of Nora's secrets, and while wearing it, he lashes out. Once taken off, Torvald is as if he is a totally different person. The domino symbolizes the marriage, too. It questions, "Are Nora and Torvald happy, or is this all a disguise?" (II)
Also in Act II, Nora dances the tarantella. A tarantella is a up-beat folk dance from southern Italy. In its constant fluctuation, it is like Nora's character. In this Act, it serves as Nora's last chance to be Torvald's doll, to dance and amuse him. The reason for the fast movements, originally, was to get rid of the bite of the poisonous tarantula. Applied to the play, its use suggests that Nora is trying to rid herself of the deadly poison of an outside force, however unproductively. Rather than alleviating the bite, though, the music and her life only continue to accelerate and spin out of control.
A sixth symbol, the lamp brings about symbolism in A Doll's House. Light is used to illustrate Nora's personal journey. After the turning point of Torvald's claim to want to take everything upon himself and while she is talking to Dr. Rank, the light begins to grow dark, just as Nora sinks to new levels of manipulation. When Dr. Rank reveals his affection, Nora is shaken out of this fantasy world and into reality and insists on bringing a lamp into the room, telling the him that he must feel silly saying such things with the light on. (II)
One of the last symbols is the Christmas tree. Initially the tree was perfect, filled with gifts and cheer (showing how well the marriage was in the beginning of the play), but as time went on, the candles burnt down, gifts were removed, and the tree was bare (showing the marriage falling apart). Christmas was over and so was the marriage.
A symbol is something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship, association, convention, or accidental resemblance. Throughout the many present in A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, the reader can see the actual message intended by the author to convey the difference between Nora and her husband, Torvald.
