The Stove

Motif
Katharine Archer, Taylor Pagel,
Anjali Madan
 Thesis
The stove in Ibsen’s A Doll’s
House, aims to fill a void of
emotional warmth by
symbolizing a place of comfort
from which Nora ties her
ephemeral mental escape from
the subjugation of her
character to the superficiality
of love and the limitations of
her marital dynamic.
Whatever you say, Torvald. [At the stove]
(Ibsen 13)
[at the hall door] Helene! Bring in the lamp!
[going over to the stove] Dear Dr.Rank, that
was really awful of you (Ibsen 71)
“There now, let’s sit here and be warm and cozy
by the stove. Yes, now you look like your old
self again”(Ibsen 19).
“Didn’t you just say that no one had been
here? My little songbird must never do that
again. Isn’t that right? Yes, I know it is [sitting
down by the stove]”(Ibsen 48).
Nora danes more and more wildly. Torvald is
standing by the stove and gives her frequent
instructions. She seems oblivious. Her hair falls down
over her shoulders. She pays no attention to it and
goes on dancing (Ibsen 84).
“You too of course. We’re both saved. The two of us.
Look! He’s sent you the contract back… The whole
thing will be nothing but a bad dream. (tears up the
contract and the letters, throws them into the stove,
and watches them burn) There. Now they’re gone
forever” (Ibsen 107).
Conclusion
❖ The motif of stoves serves to represent the gender roles that confine men and women in their
marriage.
❖ It emphasizes the superficial love Nora and Torvald have for one another.
❖ Furthermore, it allots Nora an escape from her role in the marriage and gives her artificial warmth
in the cold world around her.
❖ It allows Nora an escape from her immense guilt
❖ All in all, it is one of the objects that cements their marriage together despite their ignorance
towards each other’s needs tearing it apart