A Dolls House - Is Helmer 'a monster' or do youfind sympathy for him?
Is Helmer 'a monster' or do you find sympathy for him? Helmer is one of the central characters of A Doll's House. At the beginning of the play he is seen as the loving husband, a little patronising, but kind and caring nevertheless. However, by the end of the play our views of him have changed, he is not seen as such an admired figure. Throughout the play there are times were Helmer is a bigot and this gives you a sordid view of his character. Helmer is a typical nineteenth century respectable husband. He follows the rules society has set; this is how he has been brought up. A very stereotypical man of this patriarchal time. You cannot condemn him for this, nor can you dismiss it. He has fitted this role without consideration. Although the people of the time had the desire for social approval, Helmer takes this to the extreme and is guilty of elitism. He treats his wife as a pet "my little squander-bird" and "little squirrel" to use, but two of the many times he speaks of her as more of a possession rather than a wife a person. He enjoys this role, he loves being in control and his security depends on this superior feeling. This dominance over Nora is further shown to the audience in the games he plays with her and moreover in the way he holds financial control, he holds the purse strings, therefore has the power. He dresses Nora up and makes her dance the
To what extent is the alteration in Nora's relationship with Torvald evident in the way she speaks over the course of the play?
To what extent is the alteration in Nora's relationship with Torvald evident in the way she speaks over the course of the play? The drastic change in Nora's relationship with Torvald that occurs during the course of the play is made quite evident by what she says and the way she delivers her speech. At the beginning of the play Nora seems completely happy with her doll-like relationship with Torvald. She responds affectionately to Torvald's teasing and plays along with him - "if you only knew what expenses we skylarks and squirrels have, Torvald". She is quite happy to be Torvald's "little featherbrain". However, as the play continues, Nora starts to realise that her marriage has been a performance and that she needs her own freedom. She becomes more rebellious, starts to use the imperative with Torvald and somewhat abandons her childlike language. As the play reaches its end, Nora becomes totally independent from Torvald and talks to him from equal to equal, not daughter to father. At the beginning of the play, Nora's relationship with Torvald seems that of a child with her father. She is patronised, called a "little squirrel", a "skylark" and accused of being a "spendthrift" because she can't save money although she seems quite happy to be called so as she doesn't complain about it and even plays along - when Torvald says "scampering about like a little squirrel?" she just
Two Men Destroyed by a Secret: A Comparative Study of Oedipus the King and A Dolls House
Two Men Destroyed by a Secret: A Comparative Study of Oedipus the King and A Dolls House Adam Blake D0555006 World Literature Assignment 1 Word Count 1143 The characters of Oedipus from Sophocles' Oedipus the King, and Torvald from Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, while coming from two different periods in time, are in some ways very similar. Torvald and Oedipus share many qualities, such as arrogance and a fiery temper. Their lives also mirror each other in many ways. They were both prestigious well-off men with powerful positions, happy families, and everything to lose. Both men were destroyed by the revelation of a secret, which had been kept from them by their wives. Oedipus and Torvald both seem to be created by the author to have their lives shattered by a secret, and this premeditation by the author is the cause for the similarities between both the personalities and biographies of the two characters. Torvald and Oedipus share a great number of traits and flaws giving them similar personalities. Oedipus and Torvald are both arrogant stubborn men who are quick to anger and are often too curious for their own good. We are provided with spectacular evidence of Torvald's temper during the last act of the play. Torvald's explosion of anger upon the discovery of Nora's secret, shows us the extent of his fiery temper. Torvald's statement, "You... Miserable thing,
The play opens with Nora and the porter, and it immediately puts the spotlight on money, which emerges as one of the forces driving the play's conflicts
Analysis The play opens with Nora and the porter, and it immediately puts the spotlight on money, which emerges as one of the forces driving the play's conflicts as it draws lines between genders, classes, and moral standards. Though Nora owes the porter a shilling, she gives him a pound, twenty times the value, presumably because she is infused with the holiday spirit. While Nora likes to spend and allows the idea of buying presents to block out financial concerns, Torvald holds a more pragmatic view of money, jokingly calling Nora a spendthrift and telling her that she is completely foolish when it comes to financial matters. Torvald's assertion that Nora's lack of understanding of money matters is the result of her gender "Nora, my Nora, that is just like a woman" reveals his prejudiced viewpoint on women. He quickly makes it known that appearances are very important to him, and that Nora is like an ornament or trophy that serves to his home and his reputation. Nora's first conversation with Mrs. Linde plays a key role in establishing Nora's childlike, self-centered, and insensitive character. Though she claims to be interested in Mrs. Linde's problems, Nora repeatedly turns the conversation back to her own life with Torvald. Nora's self-centeredness is further demonstrated in her revelation that she failed to write to Mrs. Linde after her husband passed away. It is
Plot Henrik Ibsens 'a dolls house' begins with a discussion between two main characters, Nora and her old school friend Mrs Linde.
Plot and subplot Plot Henrik Ibsens 'a dolls house' begins with a discussion between two main characters, Nora and her old school friend Mrs Linde. Mrs Linde a penniless widow has came to see Nora in-order to receive a job. During this first scene Mrs Linde and Nora have a slight disagreement over Nora's capacity to do hard work, this causes great annoyance to Nora who then reveals to her friend that she in-fact secretly took out a loan herself in-order to pay for a vacation to Italy which cured her husband Torvalds mystery Illness. This early revelation acts as an exposition for the audience, demonstrating important information and events prior to the play. Kind-hearted Nora agrees to ask her husband to give Mrs Linde a job at his bank. Rank enters the room in which the two female characters are discussing work matters. He mutters about society being rich with corruption. During this discussion Krogstad arrives at the house and goes to the study in order to talk to Torvald about his loosing his job. After Krogstad leaves Rank comments that Krogstad himself is a morally corrupt villain. Rank and Mrs Linde leave Nora alone in order to talk business, once they have left the room Krogstad re-enters and cruelly threatens to reveal Nora's tretury and dishonesty to her husband, as it was he who took out the secret loan for her at the bank. When Torvald re-enters Nora begs him
The delicate equilibrium of societal acceptance and an individual's right to flourish: the severe imbalance of Victorian values as exposed in A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen.
The delicate equilibrium of societal acceptance and an individual's right to flourish: the severe imbalance of Victorian values as exposed in A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. Henrik Ibsen has elevated theatre from a source of mere entertainment and turned it into a forum for exposing the many critical problems of Victorian society. Prior to Ibsen, contemporary theatre consisted of more shallow subjects such as historical romances or contrived behavior plays. However, with A Doll's House, Ibsen transformed drama into a reputable genre for the portrayal and examination of social issues. In exposing the many flaws within the Helmer marriage, he made what was wrongly private public and in doing so provided a great advocacy for women, which was a rare feat most especially because Henrik Ibsen was a man himself. A prime example of this would be in Act III, when Nora slams the door as she leaves, she is opening a door into the hidden world of the ideal Victorian marriage. In allowing Nora the right to satisfy her need for an identity separate from that of wife and mother, Ibsen is perceived as endorsing the growing question of a woman's role in society, and the freedom of their rights that is much sought after. Although the play ends without offering any real solutions, Ibsen has offered countless possibilities. To his contemporaries, not only was the thought considered near
A Doll House Essay
A Doll House Essay Ibsen said that his mission in life was to "Inspire individuals to freedom and independence" which was shown throughout the play A Doll House. Since he wrote modern theatre, the characters were real and audiences could relate to them. He particularly questioned the role of men and women during his time. Ibsen used A Doll House to motivate women so they would seek more power and freedom in their relationships. Audiences could then look up to characters such as Nora and Mrs Linde whom were independent, some what ahead of their times. Ibsen's purpose was to not only to enlighten women of their unfair status but also to make the men understand women are much smarter than what they think. His goal was to change these attitudes of all humans so equality could be reached. By 1878-79, when A Doll House was written, women's rights had become a burning issue. People such as John Stuart Mill who wrote The Subjection of Women (1869) were one of the first to raise these issues and could be seen as an early feminist. They raised question as to whether the female role was fair. Before then, women were very submissive and had little opportunities. They were unable to have a job and were expected to do household duties and take care of the children. Men were the dominant ones but the women knew no different. For the few who could see this inequality, they were
Additional scene for Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" occurring shortly after Nora has left. Torvald receives a visit from Krogstad.
World Lit II Bruce Spires IB English Word Count: 1,309 Topic: Additional scene for Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House" occurring shortly after Nora has left. Torvald receives a visit from Krogstad. (Scene: Torvald is standing, staring at the door that Nora just walked out of. Behind him, the fireplace is slowly going out. The door knocks then opens, and Krogstad walks in and stands next to him.) Krogstad: Hello Torvald. How are you? Torvald: Fine...yes...yes I'm fine... a bit chilly, but....you? Krogstad: I'm better. I just wanted to come by and bid my farewells, I am leaving. With Ms Linde. Torvald: Oh. Why are you both leaving? Is something wrong? Krogstad: We are going to move town, get other jobs, in this town jobs in winter are scarce you know...business doesn't thrive much.... Torvald: Really, is that so? Where are you going? Krogstad: We are moving over to the east, economy is booming, it might offer us some opportunity. Torvald: Well, I'm happy that you have moved on from our little misunderstanding. In fact, if I hadn't have done such a thing then you would have probably resigned. Krogstad: Torvald, stop twisting your actions. In fact, we are leaving because of you. You released me from my job, unjustifiably in most peoples eyes, barring from yourself of course, and then replaced me. And there aren't any more jobs in this town in which, even
How does Henrik Ibsen use stereotype in "A Doll's House" to challenge our pre-conception of gender roles within marriage? Should relate to bot present day and the time in which the play was set in.
How does Henrik Ibsen use stereotype in "A Doll's House" to challenge our pre-conception of gender roles within marriage? Should relate to bot present day and the time in which the play was set in. In today's world, the stereotypical roles that males and females play in their marriages are very different from the time the play "A Doll's House" was set in. The play reflected the English society in the mid 19th century. Ibsen portrayed Torvald as the stereotypical husband in those times. He was the leader and the breadwinner of the family. He was dominating, patronizing and always treated Nora with sarcasm. Similarly, Nora was portrayed as a stereotypical wife. Her character was made up of naivete. She was submissive and dependent on her husband. Their relationship was affectionate but displayed inequality between the gender and this could be expected of in those times. In the first act of the play, Ibsen showed the exposition which is the introduction of the play and its characters where nothing much happens. He depicted a common family of those times and showed that the woman of the house did not give much opinion or independence or strength. He showed that Torvald was in charge of the money he earned and Nora told him how she spent the money he had given her. Torvald treated her like an inexperienced child and told her that she was a spendthrift. Moreover, she was even
A Doll House by Ibsen and The Metamorphosis by Kakfa,
WORLD LITERATURE PAPER I Name: Matthew Stanelle Student Number: _____________________________ Date: December 5, 2002 Name of Junior Year English Teacher: Mr. Hajewski Word Count: 1475 Title: Nora and the Samsa Family - Better Off Without Torvald and Gregor Nature of Study: In the Beginning of Both A Doll House by Ibsen and The Metamorphosis by Kakfa, Nora and the Samsa family seem to be overwhelmingly dependent of Torvald and Gregor. However, they both continuously change throughout the play and the novel. And my intent is to examine this change and come to the conclusion that both are better off without the support and guidance they've been given. Strategy Employed: Formal Essay Although Kafka portrays the Samsa family as dependents of Gregor in the beginning of Metamorphosis, and Ibsen also portrays Nora as a wife who depends on the support and guidance of her husband in A Doll House, both the Samsa family and Nora prove they can be independent and happy without him and her husband. In Act One of A Doll House a conversation between Mrs. Linde and Nora reveals that Nora has secretly borrowed money to finance a trip to Italy to save the life of her husband, Torvald Helmer, which she hopes to repay without consequence. In comparison, Kafka begins Metamorphosis presenting Gregor as a giant bug whose family accepts this as a treatable illness anticipating a