During act one; Ibsen creates a happy and normal atmosphere, within a traditional 19 century nuclear family. Ibsen’s use of language creates these different characters. For example, during the first act Nora appears to be money hungry. “One, two…oh thank you Torvald”. All Nora thinks about is money; she is very childish and manipulative. Like a doll she does not take into consideration the real aspects of life. A child plays joyfully with a dolls house and Nora plays her role in the ‘doll’s house’. Although Nora is childish she is also clever; using her sexuality to get what she wants (when she plays with Torvald’s coat buttons). When Helmer calls Nora pet names, she reacts to this and acts like a pet. “My little squanderbird”. She does whatever the ‘master’ tells her to do.
Nora goes against Helmer’s rules; she gets a loan without Helmer knowing. “He’s proud of being a man”. Nora knows that if Helmer was to get a loan or be in debt, he’ll be very ashamed. He will be socially embarrassed. People were meant to conform to their stereotypes and behave in a conventional manner. His social status is important to him. He understands the norms and values of society. Ibsen’s father himself suffered from these financial problems and social embarrassment of owing to poverty. This shows that Nora has an untruthful marriage and the traditional masculine traits. This relates to the stereotyped idea in society that a girl plays with a doll and a ‘doll’s house’, whilst the boy takes on more masculine activities.
Helmer has power over Nora; again treating Nora like a doll. “My little bird mustn’t droop her wings”. Helmer can be patronising at times. Nora and Helmer’s relationship is like that of a father and daughters, Nora depends on Helmer and needs approval. Like a dolls movement depends on the child. Helmer and Nora both know their roles within the family; however Nora does go against it.
Although Helmer has power over Nora, Nora likes the attention, and plays up to Helmer. Helmer is gullible in ways, where he gives Nora money; “Money”! Nora however takes advantage of this, and can be childish and unrealistic. Although Nora is controlled like a doll, she likes to play the role of a doll. “Torvald will you find me a dress to wear for the party?” Their relationship is superficial, saying what is expected of them rather than what they really feel. They live in their own little world. Nora is not encouraged to have friends. Like when a child plays with a ‘doll house’ she is in her own little world, with no worries or thoughts.
In the first act when we are given the stage directions of their home and setting we are told that it is a ‘tastefully’ furnished room, a ‘doll’s house’ is always tidy and neat. Appearance is importance in a ‘doll house’ and it is to in the characters of Nora and Helmer. Nora’s physical appearance and Helmer’s appearance of knowledge and understanding being of importance.
Throughout act one Ibsen’s use of language is very effective. Both Nora and Helmer know their roles within the family. Their distinctive language reflects their character traits; Helmer being head of the house and Nora being a mother and wife. Ibsen creates the significance of a ‘doll’s house’ to Nora’s and Helmer’s relationship. Although Helmer has power, Nora slightly does in a way. She saved her husband’s life by borrowing money. This shows bravery in Nora, as during the 19th century it was forbidden for a female to borrow or even work to earn money. This may be suggesting that she wants to break free from her ‘doll’s’ role, knowing she is destined for so much more.
By reading and looking at act one I can say that ‘A Doll’s House’ is definitely a suitable title for the play. The title says it all; Nora is the doll, Torvald’s doll, everything in her little ‘doll’s house’ is perfect, but she has no idea what is going on in the world outside.
