A Doll's House

In "A Doll's House," Henrik Ibsen exposes the devastating affect society has on relationships. In the 1900's when this play was written it is wrong for the women to show, and have more strength and intelligence than their husband. By looking at the title of the play, "A Doll's House," the reader can already question who is in charge of the play and who is the doll that is being controlled. As the reader reads into the play it is unclear who is actually in charge. It starts to become clear when Torvald gives Nora the rules about money and macaroons. In realization Nora is the one getting her way by eating the macaroons and spending the money as she pleases. When Nora forged the signature of her father in order to pay for Torvald's hospital bills she was unaware of what problem she has just gotten herself into. Nora tries to create her own identity and break away from societies norms for women. After paying off the debt to Krongstad, Nora believes that she will be able to create her own freedom and not worry about living in a lie in a doll's house.

Henrik Ibsen wrote this play going against societies norms. The play was said be: "extraordinarily controversial, arousing furious attack and impassioned defenses for what was perceived as its assault on the foundations of moral convention." "A Doll's House" belongs to Ibsen's second phase of his life which is considered to be "plays of ideas." The "plays of ideas" consist of writings about social problems. It becomes evident that Nora has never been taken seriously and is treated like a child by Torvald. In the opening of the play the reader realizes that early in the Helmer's marriage they traveled to Italy to get Torvald help for his serious health condition. To Torvald's knowledge he believes that the trip was financed by Nora's father. Not knowing that Nora actually forged her father's