Free Essay - Nora in Act 1 in Ibsens A Dolls House :: Dolls House essays

The Character of Nora in Act 1 of A Dolls put forward The character of Nora, of Isbens A Dolls House, is oddly difficult to interpret. Her character is constructed by the compounding of a number of varying traits. Throughout Act 1 her ambiguity is particularly prominent. Her frivolous, playful moments are readily followed by moments of practicality and astuteness. It is not surprise that Nora is such a changeable character for she is constantly interchanging between third main roles a supporting wife, fundamental mother and sexual being. Ibsen uses the fiction of a doll inside a doll house to show Noras attempt to become an individual while confined inside a male dominated world. Her wish to become self motivated is stymy by Torvalds power everyplace her. Noras home is the substantiveization of domestic bliss, carry on and presented like A Dolls House. Lacking experience of life in the real world and oblivious to the outdoor hardships, Nora is vulnerable. She enters muffle d in protection from the outside, portray symbolically through her coat, scarf etc. Immediately, Nora appears childlike and coquettish. She orders Helene in an flighty t i to hide the Christmas tree as the children mustnt see it till tonight. Noras niggardness in wanting to hide the tree, extends further, and is a constant theme. Following Torvalds light- hearted query with regard to whether she has had whatsoever macaroons, she becomes nervous and lies, No Torvald, I promise...No No...Torvald I swear. Of course, this is particularly important as the entire play rotates around Noras big secret. With the glamour of Krogstad, Noras sense of fun abandons her. Her attempt to enforce her social superiority over him is genuinely intimidated. In her ambitious attempt to be superior she states one isnt without influence. However, within moments she is forced into pleading Mr. Krogstad, I dont have any influence. Noras stereotyped roll as a doll confined to a dolls house constantly bei ng fathered by Torvald encourages her childlike manner. However an on the whole different contradicting side to Noras character is revealed when Nora explains exactly what she did for Helmer. Although Nora is a woman who shirks or is probably unaware of her responsibilities (particularly with regard to her children who are under permanent administer of Ann- Marie) here she has, apparently, fulfilled something of her duty as a wife. Her personal emplacement to her action, which in her mind saved Torvalds life is very childlike.