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“A Doll House”
By
Henrik Isben
Comp II (Evening Class)
Literary Analysis (Drama) # 3
Tonya Blevins
Henrik Isben play, “ A Doll House“ is ironic in that the play is named a “Doll
House“. One of the main characters, Nora, is treated in such a way that she portrays a
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doll, child, and a puppet because she has no freedom or power within the Helmer
household.
The title of the play is significant in many ways. It shows how Nora, is treated
like a child, doll, and puppet by Torvald. In the beginning, the narrator describes the
house, which depicts a doll house similar to what a little girl would play with. “A
comfortable room, tastefully but not expensively furnished. A door to the right in the
back all lead to an entryway, another to the left leads to Helmer’s study. Between these
doors, a piano Midway in the left-hand wall a door, further back a window. Near the
window a round table with an armchair…(Pg. 1667).” Other factors as well lead to the
title of the play being Ironic. Dolls are like puppets, and have no freedom or power.
Torvald treated Nora like a doll, puppet and a child. From this we can conclude, that the
structure of their home resembles a older, and most modern doll houses.
Torvald treated Nora as a child by calling her “pet” names and often refers to her
as an animal. For example, when Nora arrives at the house with packages in the
beginning, he calls out, “Is that my little Lark twittering out there?(Pg 1667)” “Is that my
squirrel rummaging around?( Pg1667)” Torvald treats Nora as a child by telling her not
to eat or buy Macaroons because they will rot her teeth. “My sweet tooth really didn’t
make a little detour through the confectioner’s?(Pg1669)” Possibly Nora is treated as a
child and doll because she pouts to get Trovald to give her more money for her secret
debt, and to get her way.
Other factors that play a part in symbolizing a “Doll House” are the fact that Nora
has absolutely no power or freedom to do anything without Torvald permission. She does
what he says and wants without hesitation. We can conclude that she had no permission
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without Trovald approval, thus this is why she confiscate more money from him to pay of
her secret debt.
Henrik Isben drama, “A Doll House” was written during a time when women did
not have power, and this play reflects women during that era. Nora, a main character
within the play, is treated like a doll and child by her husband Torvald. He does not give
her freedom or power to do anything without asking him first. He treats her as a child by
making sure she eats no candy, and tells her they will rotten her teeth. He also ration out
money to her as, a parent would do a child. Torvald treats Nora like a doll by calling her
pet names, and telling her what to do, and when to do it. Essentially, we can see that the
title is Ironic in that the play is called “A Doll House”, and Torvald treats Nora like a
play doll.