Selected passage Analysis

(inc. page #)

Act 1 Duty of Love and Comfort

The role of a woman in the 19th century involved two things: love and comfort.
Women were responsible for the happiness in their home, keeping it clean and
without negativity. They remained spotless themselves and were taught to be
good wives. Nora is a perfect example of the common housewife, because
although she often goes against the common standards of a woman, she is stuck
with her duty.

Nora does many things she is told not to do. She lies, sneaks food, goes against
her husband, talks to other men, and uses foul language. Though she puts on a
good act, it seems as if she is manipulating her situation for her own betterment,
and fights back against her society. However, this is not the case. Nora is actually
a great representation of the ideal woman of the 19th century, and it all has to
do with her duty.

Nora’s main motivation is to keep her family loved and comfortable. Whether it
be the children or, more often, her husband, her goals still revolve around her
duty as a wife and mother. Nora grew up in a world in which she had only one
job, and so, she became that ideal woman. She does everything in her power to
keep her home filled with love and comfort. This is her mentality, as even after
she meets with Krogstad and learns she committed fraud she says, “No, but it’s
impossible! I did it out of love after all.” (Ibsen 136). Nora is a smart and often
independent woman who acts out of her society’s standards, but her world
revolves around the love and comfort she can bring to her family.

Act 2 Children
The 19th century women in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen are perceived with
an idea of children, not simply by the creation but by those who perceptive
them. Almost all of the female characters express different personalities, class,
and experiences, but their attributes contribute to their, either, child-like life or
mature life. Ms Linde is one end of the spectrum with a grounded personality,
and heavier life. Though she is still belittled as a woman, she is not perceived as a
child. Nora, however, is, but why?

Nora is referred to many times as a child, both directly by Mrs Linde and
indirectly by her husband. Mrs Linde is quick to point out how sheltered Nora
truly is, a quality that is, to this day, occassated with youth and inexperience. She
grew up wealthy and sheltered, and married into a comfortable home. Though
she is a mother and a wife who had dealt in both crime and lies to save her
husband, she is still shown as immature.

Her husband also views her as child-like as well, though not as directly. He calls
her “My little Nora” (Ibsen 147), “Little miss Wilful” (Ibsen 148), and “My dear
sweet Nora” (Ibsen 163), all names that remark her as something small and
immature, like a child. Her husband also speaks about her opinions as if she is
not smart enough to think properly, saying, “This is nothing, really, but the
emptiest figment of your imagination.” (Ibsen 149). Nora’s personality is
youthful, but she is certainly not immature by any means. She is smart and
manipulative, but both her class and her personality makes those around her
preserve her as a child. Small, still learning, still growing, and in desperate need
of a man to come and save her.