Ibsen's "A Doll's House"

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at Henrik Ibsen's play "The Doll's House" and how the theme of deception runs through it. The author shows how from the start the character of Nora seems too perfect-- perfect wife, perfect woman, but towards the end the truth emerges when Nora's true character is revealed.

From the Paper:

"Nora is a sheltered housewife who is domineered by he husband, until circumstances force her to show her own independence. Nora was a perfect wife at the beginning of the play, but there were underlying deceptions beneath the perfection.

"From the start of the play, we realize that there was a general sense of falsehood in the Helmer house, brought on mostly by Nora's inability or unwillingness to accept the real world. Nora's desire to conceal the truth from Torvald and herself is further augmented by the patriarchal attitudes of Torvald towards her and her open acceptance and manipulation of such treatment in order to further suppress reality. Nora's departure, as well as being an escape from a house of lies is also an opportunity for personal growth and the means by which she discovers reality."

More papers on Ibsen's "A Doll's House":

• Analytical Essay # 8140 : "Ibsen's "A Doll House"
• Analytical Essay # 64855 : "Marital Relationships in Ibsen's "Doll House"
• Essay # 87734 : "A Doll House and Medea"
• Analytical Essay # 58442 : "Relationships in "A Doll House"

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