Ruth Hayes
THEA106
06-17-2020
A Doll’s House
A Doll’s House was a play of realism written in 1879 by playwright Henrik Ibsen. It
centers on an upper class family and their personal troubles. It is in a time period when women
were to be seen and not heard. Nora Helmer, the wife and mother, is visiting with her dear friend
Christine Linde. In their conversation the audience learns of Christine’s difficult life. It seems she
had to marry for money to provide for her ailing mother and two younger brothers. She has
moved near Nora to start a new life after her husband’s death. Nora claims that her life is simply
perfect. However as they chat, Nora tells Christine that she has a secret. Christine begs her to tell
and Nora divulges that she owes money to a less than savory man. Christine is shocked that Nora
should act in this way without her husband’s knowledge. Nora explains that they needed the
money so the family could travel to Italy for her husband’s health. The story goes on to show the
interaction of her husband Torvald and his friend long time friend Dr. Rank. The good doctor
also has a strong friendship with Nora. The antagonist in the story is Mr. Krogstad who had lent
the money to Nora. The conflict throughout the play is how Nora is to pay off Mr. Krogstad
without Torvald learning of her deception. It is revealed that Torvald has a new position at the
bank where he works. He is to reorganize the staff to the benefit of the bank. Mr. Krogstad is also
a mediocre employee under the management of Torvald. Torvald must dismiss Mr. Krogstad.
However, as a favor to Nora, he hires Christine so she can provide for herself. The play continues
with Krogstad being a threat to Nora and her ‘perfect’ marriage. Finally, Krogstad puts a letter in
the locked mailbox for her husband to read demanding repayment. Torvald becomes furious
upon learning of Nora’s deceit and tells her that now she is a wife in name only to him. Towards
the end of the play, we learn that Christine and Krogstad had been in love in their younger years.
They begin again as a couple. Krogstad reconsiders his demands and dismisses the loan. Now
Torvald is thrilled and wants to have the perfect marriage again. However, Nora sees her
husband’s true colors and decides to leave and find herself.
In realism, the story depicts some ill in society. This play depicts a time when men ruled
the household and women did as they were told. Henrik Isben was able to demonstrate the woe
of the woman’s role in society. Nora was expected to do as Torvald decreed. He, like many men
of the time, felt she wasn’t smart enough to make her own decisions. According to Torvald, she
was too daft to decide how she should dress at a party. Realism also was a change for the theater
world on the physical stage as well. It was felt that the stage should be as realistic to life as
possible. The scenery and costumes for A Doll’s House seemed to be very authentic. Isben
strived to recreate the upperclass living room of the late 1800’s.
The playwright used mostly realism. However, he brought in some naturalism to his
production. Naturalism in the theater is a step beyond realism. The advocates of this style
wanting it to be a ‘slice of life’ in theater. Isben seems to use this when Torvald is so angry that is
about to strike Nora. The other scene of naturalism would be the actual Christmas tree and Nora
decorating while conversing.
This play must have been very controversial in 1879. When this was written society was
on the beginning cusp of Women’s Suffrage. The social issue of women being treated like chattel
was very present throughout the play. Nora was to look pretty and follow all of her husband’s
whims and notions. It also discusses that she had belonged to her father and then was the
property of her husband without either of them inquiring to her wants and needs. Torvald was
never to blame for any wrong doing because he was the head of the household. Therefore, the
fact that Nora’s plan had prevented Torvald’s death was not considered a positive toward her.
Isben was showing the hypocrisy of this misogynist way of thinking.
I believe the playwright was trying to point out how all the simple and inconsequential
ways women were being looked down upon added up to degradation. Isben pointed to little
details as to asking her husband about clothing, choice of friends, and to where she should go. He
also made a point that Nora was quite capable of major situations, like saving her husband’s life.
Sometimes women have been thought to be manipulative. However, this half of the human race
was so completely controlled that they found ways around this domination. I for one commend
Henrik Isben in his candid poke at this societal issue.