A Doll House

A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen was one of the most intriguing plays we have read in this class. I found it interesting that 100 years after the play was written it was still relatable and relevant to society. Of course, I can see how at the time it was written it was considered extremely controversial and was surprised to learn by reading the foreword that the ending was initially changed since the thought of a woman leaving her husband and children was frowned upon, then changed to the original ending since the audiences were not satisfied with that ending.

While reading the play I felt like Nora’s situation is something that women have always faced as I know of women who were in situations such as Nora’s, the only difference being that they stayed put after the glass ceiling fell out due to financial security. In the play, Nora did seem self-indulgent and a bit frivolous. However, she did what she had to do to keep her family together by borrowing money, saving her husband’s life and saving face by not telling her husband about borrowing money. I believe that her intentions were pure and done out of desperation because she truly loved her husband. After her husband’s life was saved she seems to have returned to daily life and embraced it. The play had scenes where she seemed to have her daily routines and her children were happy to see her. Nora was engaged and seemed to be a happy mom, playing on the floor and playing hide and seek under the table. Nora and her husband Torvald had their daily routines that she seemed to have embraced as a part of a happy daily life.

It is funny that I was shocked to read that Mrs. Linde, Kristine, would just drop by Nora’s house unannounced to chat but then I remembered when the play was written and realized that sort of behavior was the norm at the time. I also found it disagreeable how Dr. Rank basically professed his love for Nora as it seemed that knew Nora was a bit naïve and trusted him as a close friend. The whole scene made me wonder that his intentions were. Did he actually expect her profess her love back or leave her husband, his best friend, for him? Was his business card with his name crossed out an indication that he was going to kill himself after he professed his love and nothing came of it?

Throughout the play I could understand why Nora might be nervous about not wanting her husband to find out about her secret loan to save his life but I never imagined that he would have reacted in the manner in which he did. I cannot wrap my head around why would instantaneously disowned her then forbade her from raising their children if what he had for her was true love. Then, within minutes being given a note saying nothing would come of the situation, figured all was well and apologized to Nora. It seemed that Torvald was more concerned with his image and judgment of others more than he loved his wife. At this point Nora was probably mentally exhausted and not feeling like herself. However, in order for her to walk out on her kids I believe that she may have suffered from some type of mental instability. Could both Torvald and Nora have mental instability or suffer from depression to react in such drastic ways? Was societal pressure that great? Perhaps her leaving in the time that the play was written meant that she was also leaving her kids as women were considered secondary citizens and not able to support themselves or a family properly. Either way her actions at the end were unacceptable.

I can imagine that when the play first came out it may have encouraged the talk or action of unhappy women walking out on their families to pursue their own dreams. I wonder what Nora did after the play ended? The play stated that she was going to stay with Kristine but did she try to reconnect with Dr. Rank if he was still alive? Did she ever see her kids or return to her husband and family? How did society react to her leaving? How, if at all, did it effect Torvald’s new job? All in all, the play was a good read.