Ibsen has raised the issue of appearance versus reality through register and diction. Nora’s register and diction when she talks to Torvald “can we burn just a little? A tiny little?... Pennies and pennies ad pennies” demonstrates how Nora presents the appearance of a child. She does this through her childish expression and tone of childish wheedling and dependency. This gives the appearance of her being frivolous and impulsive.
Through the use of short sentences “You told me not to.” Ibsen has showed that Torvald controls Nora he tells her what to do, emphasising the issue of freedom. Through this Ibsen has shown Torvald’s possessive nature, and also reveals his paternalism. He tells her what to do and looks after her because he doesn’t think that she can look after herself. This shows how Nora is trapped in a relationship where she is not being treated equally and Torvald thinks of himself as superior and positions himself to give orders. This issue of freedom and inequality between sexes is still relevant today. The use of the short sentences to show that the man controls the woman is an issue that transcends time. This is the point of view of MW Brun, who says that Nora has betrayed her family by leaving and that her purpose is for her husband to control her.
Ibsen uses word choice “feather brain” to emphasises the theme of appearances versus reality, Torvald sees Nora as silly but in reality she is not. This reinforces what is said by Joan Templeton that “her brain is not just an organ of her sex” meaning that her brain is useful and intelligent. This is used to show that men belive themselves intellectually superior to women. Ibsen’s use of word choice to emphasise this issue has reinforced my response that this issue transcends time. An example of this is in the present day when even scientists have an ongoing debate about the brain size of both sexes, and have indicated, that female brains tend to be smaller. They used this the reinforce the view that women are intellectually inferior to men.
Further in the play when Nora is telling Mrs Linde about how she borrowed money, Nora reveals to the audience who she really is.
To emphasise the theme of the right to be an individual Ibsen has used repetition. The word “free” has been used 4 times in 5 lines, emphasising her desire to be free. Nora is trapped but is not aware of it, this has impacted on my response that even contemporary women are in situations where they feel trapped and they are unaware of it. Ibsen has used Nora’s situation to make the audience aware that these situations are present in society, women do feel trapped and I feel that these are situation that have always existed.
Ibsen has emphasised society’s expectations about women through the use of short unfinished sentences “almost like a man”. Shows Nora’s longing to be equal and to have power, however society will not allow her to have it openly. This is emphasised by Joan Templeton’s use of the word “Buried in Nora are an intelligence” showing that even in 1997 women are equal to men but they are pressured by society to keep their talents buried. It shows that in societies, women will never be equal to men. This reinforces my view that these issues of equality are relevant today, even today women are given less power, this is proven by the few women in positions of power.
Ibsen has used debt in the play as a theatrical device to reveal the issues of the appearance of marriage versus the reality of the shallowness of marriage as a social construct. In a conversation between Nora and Mrs Linde, Mrs Linde shows her surprise of Nora’s dishonesty about her debt “you won’t ever tell him”. Honesty in relationships is once again an issue that transcends time and is just as important to Ibsen’s audience in 1882 as it would be to an audience in 2009.
Further on in the play once Torvald discovers Krogstads letter stating that Nora has committed fraud, he is furious and Nora states “when I’m out of your way, you’ll be free of it.” demonstrating further more evidence of Nora’s need to be free. Ibsen’s use of free as a verb explores the idea that he has become entangled by her lies and that when she leaves, both of them will be free and this will allow them to become self directed. Ibsen has once again brought up the issue of honesty in relationships; this has shaped me to see honesty as paramount importance in a relationship. The idea that they are trapped in lies shows the powerful negative effects of dishonesty.
The idea of status in a patriarchal society and Torvald‘s desperate need to regain power, is shown through the use of ellipsis. “Don’t... talk.” reveals that he needs to formulate his thoughts carefully so that he can dictate Nora’s dialogue, attitude and actions. This once again brings up the issue of men controlling women; Ibsen wants his audience to see that women should not be controlled that women can decide for themselves. My response to this issue is that women should not be controlled if they are to gain any self development. This is relevant to any women in any time era. The idea of status is reinforced through the use of the personal pronoun “what good is that to me...they’ll think I knew...that I was part of it”. This also indicates his status is of paramount importance in his life, and he is anxious that his reputation will be tarnished by Nora’s actions.
The use of imperative language “take off...take it off... it must be hushed up”. demonstrates the facade which Torvald presents to the world and which has been threatened by the discovery of Nora’s actions. This is symbolic of their relationship that his behaviour towards her is the same in public as in private. However this is proven to be erroneous when he states that “in public” their relationship must be maintained. The truth of their relationship is shown through the use of a metaphor “Rags, crumbs”, their relationship is now nothing more than residue. Ibsen has used this to show his audience that the social concept of marriage in this instance is built upon corruption and lies. This issue is still relevant for example how celebrities demonstrate that they have a perfect relationship whilst being in the public eye, however this is far from reality.
The theme of appearance versus reality has also been emphasised by the use of stage directions “He jumps” this shows that Torvald is scared. He is in a panic without his facade of being a strong proud man. This is then juxtaposed to his attitude once Krogstads threat has been removed. He once again pretends to be strong and masculine “I’ll guide you” “I’ll protect you”. The use of the personal pronoun shows Torvald’s pride and need to control. To make himself feel superior he denigrates Nora by associating her gender with weakness “feminine weakness”. This reflects the views of the patriarchal society at the time. In Torvald’s appearance of himself he is a generous man for “forgiving” Nora. The words “forgive you” are repeated four times to emphasise that in Torvald’s mind he was always in the right and Nora’s was always in the wrong. This emphasises the theme of gender stereotypes. These stereotypes are still present in today’s society the man has to be that strong controlling one and woman is the weak petite feminine one. An example of this in today’s society would be that in the army women are not allowed to be fighting at the front line, because it is said to be no place for a woman.
Ibsen was a man before his time, the issues he raised shocked that audience of his time however they were relevant and still are, they are issues that will transcend time. Ibsen has used many techniques to shape my response to these issues which is that they are issues that will always be applicable in society.
