A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
A Woman’s Self-realization
—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Changed
Eva Huang & Jessica Lin(黃嘉誼&林梵音)
National Hsinchu Girl’s Senior High School
Class201
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
I. Introduction
A drama is like a sketch of human life. The beauty of it lies in presenting the struggle
and conflict of interpersonal relationship in a dramatic way.
A Doll’s House describes how
an obedient housewife walked out of her doll house and realized herself. At first sight,
readers might think the drama claims women’s right. However, according to the author,
Henrik Ibsen, this drama did not focus on women’s right only. To him, it seemed “a problem
of mankind in general.”(Ibsen, 1898) In A Doll’s House, self-realization was what the heroine,
Nora, pursued finally. The couple‘s relationship was a key to the development of the drama.
It pushed Nora to think about the reality of their marriage and what she really wanted.
At the beginning of the drama, Nora was as tame as a lamb to obey her husband,
Helmer. She loved Helmer so much that she even forged a check to borrow money from the
bank because he was very ill. She concealed the truth from him and paid for a trip for the
sake of Helmer’s health. She assumed that it was a good way to show her love and her ability.
However, when Nora thought all the things would have a happy ending, Krogstad
blackmailed her and the secret she had covered up for many years was finally revealed. She
hoped Helmer could see her through the trouble because it was the time when she needed
Helmer most. However, Helmer didn’t understand her and even considered her as a shame.
This event awakened Nora’s hidden personality and changed the couple’s relationship, and
Nora finally realized that their marriage was weak and ridiculous. She would like to seek her
true self instead of living in a doll’s house.
How gentle a woman Nora used to be! What made her become a resolute woman?
What impact did their relationship have on Nora? How Nora and Helmer got along with each
other, and their ideas and personalities will be analyzed in detail in the following sections.
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
II. Thesis
1. Seeming tranquility
1.1 The way Nora was treated by Helmer
In Nora and Helmer’s cozy and peaceful house, what Nora had to do was wait for
Helmer and keep company with her children at home. She sang and danced for Helmer and
often acted like a spoiled child. Helmer called her by some lovely nicknames “Is that my
little sky-lark chirruping out there?” (Barnet et al. 553), “Is that my little squirrel frisking
about?” (Barnet et al. 553) The way he talked to Nora didn’t seem to be stern. He never
discussed serious matters such as what happened in his work or how to educate their children
with Nora. Instead, their chats were informal. Besides, Helmer treated Nora in the way a
father treated his daughter rather than a husband treated his wife. He thought that Nora had to
do what he asked her to do. He didn’t want Nora to think too much. She should just be his
“little bird”, “little squirrel,” who was kept captive in a small cage. It shows that Helmer had
the desire to control Nora. For example, he ever said, “And I wouldn’t want my pretty little
song-bird to be the least bit different from what she is now.” (Barnet et al. 553) When Nora
referred to her own opinion, Helmer would correct her in a way of a father.
Nora: Pooh! We can always borrow in the meantime.
Helmer: Nora! [Crosses to her and takes her playfully by the ear.]Here we go
again, you and your frivolous ideas! Suppose I went and borrowed a thousand
crowns today, and you went and spent it all over Christmas, then on New Year’s
Eve a slate fell and hit me on the head and there I was” (Barnet et al. 553)
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
1.2 Evidence of Helmer’s male chauvinism
Much evidence proves that Helmer was a male chauvinist. First, all the things Nora
decided or opted “by herself” couldn’t convince him. Nora had to ask for his permission
whenever she wanted to do something, even when Nora ate a piece of macaroon.
Helmer: [wagging his finger at her]. My little sweet-tooth surely didn’t forget
herself in town today?
Nora: No, whatever makes you think that?
Helmer: She didn’t just pop into the confectioner’s for a moment?
Nora: No, I assure you, Torvald…!
Helmer: Didn’t try sampling the preserves?
Nora: No, really I didn’t.
Helmer: Didn’t go nibbling a macaroon or two?
Nora: No, Torvald, honestly, you must believe me…! (Barnet et al. 553)
According to the above example, Nora was afraid that if she did something behind
Helmer’s back, Helmer would blame her.
Second, Helmer seemed to want Nora to believe in him and his opinions. He often
hammered his ideas into Nora’s head. And Nora always agreed to them without hesitation.
Take their different ideas about buying luxuries and borrowing money for example. Helmer
rejected Nora’s opinions with some excuses and forced Nora to listen to him.
Helmer: No debts! Never borrow! There’s always something inhibited, something
unpleasant, about a home built on credit and borrowed money. We two have
managed to stick it out so far, and that’s the way we’ll go on for the little time that
remains. (Barnet et al. 554)
Third, Helmer thought Nora didn’t need to worry about any important things in the
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
family. That’s why he never discussed anything serious with her, or accepted Nora’s help.
Maybe Helmer believed that lack of abilities and talents is considered to be one of women’s
virtues. He felt like protecting Nora and also keeping her from meddling in his affairs. We
can see that from Helmer’s words. For example, Nora had ever tried to show her opinion
about Helmer’s work, but he responded to Nora, “…When it comes to the point, I’ve enough
strength and enough courage, believe me, for whatever happens. You’ll find I’m man enough
to take everything on myself.” (P.568)
Helmer and Nora’s marriage was almost controlled by Helmer. This was associated
with Helmer’s attitude and the background of their time. In other words, the sense of value at
that time influenced Helmer’s attitude and behavior toward his spouse. That is also why Nora
always obeyed him. This kind of relationship was acceptable and reasonable at that time, but
underlying the seeming tranquility was a volcano that was on the verge of eruption.
2. The revelation of Nora’s real personality
In Nora and Helmer’s marriage life, although Nora was on the passive side, from some
of her behavior, or even some daily trifles, we can see that she was not as compliant as she
appeared. Additionally, Nora still wanted to do something that she thought helpful to Helmer,
because she didn’t feel like merely being a naive wife but would like to take a more important
position in her husband’s mind. Some important turning points happening in the drama will
be discussed in this section.
2.1 In Helmer’s presence
Basically, Nora was docile and obedient in Helmer’s presence, but she occasionally tried
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
to express her opinions when she had ideas different from Helmer’s. Nora worried about
being misunderstood by Helmer, so she would explain and slightly argue with him when she
thought he misunderstood her.
Helmer: You can’t deny it, Nora dear. [Puts his arms round her waist.] My pretty
little pet is very sweet, but it runs away with an awful lot of money. It’s incredible
how expensive it is for a man to keep such a pet.
Nora: For shame! How can you say such a thing? As a matter of fact I save
everything I can.
Helmer: [laughs] Yes, you are right there. Everything you can. But you simply
can’t.
Nora: [hums and smiles quietly and happily] Ah, if you only knew how many
expenses the likes of us sky-larks and squirrels have, Torvald! (Barnet et al. 555)
However, Helmer took Nora’s protest lightly. He thought that Nora’s complaint was
nothing and he didn’t regard it as a serious matter.
2.2 Behind Helmer’s back
Nora did something different when Helmer wasn’t present. Usually, those things were
not being allowed to do by Helmer or she should ask for Helmer’s permission first. For
example, Nora thought that since Helmer was promoted, they could make both ends meet.
Thus, she bought something for her children and Helmer. However, Helmer didn’t agree with
her.
Nora: But, Torvald, surely this year we can spread ourselves just a little. This is
the first Christmas we haven’t had to go carefully.
Helmer: Ah, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to be extravagant, you know.”
(Barnet et al. 553)
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
2.3 In front of other people
When facing other people except for Helmer, Nora could show her real self more. We
can find evidence of it from not only her behavior but also her words. Nora avoided being
seen eating macaroon at home because it was not allowed by Helmer, but she took it for
granted in her friends’ presence.
Nora: …what’s it matter once in a while! Don’t you think so, Dr. Rank? Here!
[She pops a macaroon into his mouth.] And you too, Kristine. And I shall have
one as well; just a little one…or two at the most. (Barnet et al. 560)
Besides, only Nora’s friends could know her true thought whether it was serious or
fantastic. She talked about her anxiety about their marriage and the desire of money naturally
in the presence of her friends. However, she never thought about them too much. After all,
Nora was still Helmer’s “little squirrel” at that time. For example, once Nora chatted with one
of her female friend, she said:
Nora: [reflectively, half-smiling] Oh yes, some day perhaps…in many years time,
when I’m no longer as pretty as I am now. You mustn’t laugh! What I mean of
course is when Torvald isn’t quite so much in love with me as he is now, when he’s
lost interest in watching me dance, or get dressed up, or recite. Then it might be a
good thing to have something to reserve…. [Breaks off] What nonsense! That day
will never come. (Barnet et al. 558)
2.4 Encountering the emergency
Much to Nora’s worry was that she had forged a check and concealed it from Helmer.
A woman at that time couldn’t obtain a loan without a man’s signature. So she forged her
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
father’s signature. However, the urgency of saving Helmer from a serious disease as well as
the desire for proving herself made her do it. She even broke the law unknowingly.
When Helmer suffered from the bad disease, Nora was in fear of losing him because
Helmer was her material and spiritual support. She thought that if she could save Helmer, she
would be more important to Helmer. Thus, she came up with a way to get money—borrowing
from the bank without Helmer’s consent. There were two reasons why Nora didn’t tell
Helmer she borrowed money. One was that she assumed she understood Helmer very much.
She feared that telling the truth would ruin their marriage.
Nora: Good heavens, how could you ever imagine such a thing! When he’s so
strict about such matter! Besides, Torvald is a man with a good deal of pride—it
would be terribly embarrassing and humiliating for him if he thought he owed
anything to me. It would spoil everything between us; this happy home of ours
would never be the same again. (Barnet et al. 558)
The other reason is that Nora didn’t want to be considered good for nothing. She felt
like depending on her own strength to do the whole thing. In fact, she was proud that she
saved Helmer’s life; she got out of her debts by herself little by little. It made her feel that she
was worthwhile.
Nora: …Last winter I was lucky enough to get quite a bit of copying to do. So I
shut myself up every night and sat and wrote through to the small hours of the
morning. Oh, sometimes I was so tired, so tired. But it was tremendous fun all the
same, sitting there working and earning money like that. It was almost like being
a man. (Barnet et al. 558)
These showed Nora’s real personality. They were the indications to the following
developments. Then, the revelation of truth made Nora realize that all the real situations were
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different from what she had thought. As the result, Nora changed into another woman with
self-esteem but not a “doll” anymore.
3 The emergence of Nora’s self-esteem
In fact, the “real Nora” was a woman with a strong will. She had not showed her true
self for quite a long time until the truth she kept hiding was exposed finally. When that
happened, Nora and Helmer had a long talk about each other’s comments on the matter. It
was the first time Nora expressed her thought in Helmer’s presence. In their first serious talk,
Nora understood not only herself but Helmer better. She found her true value and the
yearnings deep in her heart. She did not want to be controlled by Helmer anymore. This part
was the highlight of the drama. We can see Nora’s determination and decision as well as
Helmer’s anger and confusion in it.
3.1 Helmer’s and Nora’s attitudes toward the incident
When Helmer read the letter, in which he found the fact that Nora had borrowed money
without his permission, and that Nora even committed a crime—faking, he was too furious to
think about what Nora did was for the propose of saving his life. Helmer started to blame
Nora. He said a lot of terrible words and called Nora by sarcastic names, which were different
from what he called her before. “Miserable woman…what is this you have done?” (Barnet et
al. 578), “I’m done for, a miserable failure, and it’s all the fault of a feather-brained
woman!” (Barnet et al. 578)
As for Nora’s responses, they were surprisingly short and calm because Helmer did not
let her chime in and she did not want to explain anything. The uglier words Helmer said, the
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more clearly Nora thought about herself and Helmer. This was the time when Nora began to
change.
Helmer: Stop play-acting! [Locks the front door.] You are staying here
to give an account of yourself. Do you understand what you have done? Answer
me! Do you understand?
Nora: [looking fixedly at him, her face hardening]. Yes, now I’m really
beginning to understand.
Helmer: Oh, what a terrible awaking this is. All these eight years…this woman
who was my pride and joy…a hypocrite, a liar, worse than that, a criminal! Oh,
how utterly squalid it all is! Ugh! Ugh! [Nora remains silent and looks fixedly at
him.] I should have realized something like this would happen. I should have
seen it coming. …… All your father’s irresponsible ways are coming out in you.
No religion, no morals, no sense of duty…. Oh, this is my punishment for turning
a blind eye to him. It was for your sake I did it, and this is what I get for it.
Nora: Yes, this. (Barnet et al. 578)
3.2 Nora’s self-realization
Helmer blamed Nora badly and forbade Nora to leave, because he was afraid of being
encumbered with Nora. However, after he learned that they were safe from being accused, his
attitude to Nora was changed back again. It shows that what Helmer just cared was his own
reputation. It never crossed his mind that he should help his wife overcome the difficult
situation. His arbitrary attitude made Nora understand more that their relationship was so
weak and undependable. She made up her mind not to conceal her true self and let Helmer
recognize what was wrong between them.
Nora: …When you had got over your fright—and you weren’t concerned about
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me but only about what might happen to you—and when all danger was past,
you acted as though nothing had happened. I was your little sky-lark again,
your little doll, exactly as before; except you would have to protect it twice as
carefully as before, now that it had shown itself to be so weak and fragile.
(Barnet et al. 581)
Nora admitted that the problem had existed for a long time, but she and Helmer had
never detected it. Nora kept being a doll, which was always under someone’s control. She had
not thought about her own ideas but just obeyed her father or her husband. When Nora hid
her real ideas, she could get along with Helmer in a harmonious way. When Nora’s real
personality, which was rational and positive, appeared, they could hardly get along with each
other anymore. It was because their sense of value was so different. Actually, Nora’s thought
was very different from that of the society and law at that time.
Nora: …All I know is my idea about such things are very different from yours. I’ve
also learnt that the law is different from what I thought; but I simply can’t get it into
my head that that particular law is right. Apparently a woman has no right to spare
her old father on his deathbed or to safe her husband’s life, even. I just don’t believe
it. (Barnet et al. 580)
3.3 The irreparable damage to their marriage
Helmer couldn’t accept what Nora did after he read the letter. During their
conversation, the transitions in his mind were from fury to confusion, and then regret and
torture. He could be a victim in their marriage as well. Helmer was impacted so deeply by the
social value at that time that he considered it queer and unbelievable for Nora to express her
opinions so definitely. In fact, he couldn’t realize Nora’s words at all. Helmer had never
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thought carefully about Nora’s feeling when she did something unsatisfactory to him.
Although Helmer’s attitude changed later and he wanted to retrieve Nora’s heart after Nora
didn’t trust him, his words still showed his original personality—male chauvinism.
Helmer: There is some truths in what you say, exaggerated and hysterical though
it is. But from now on it will be different. Play-time is over; now comes the time
for lessons.
Nora: Whose lessons? Mine or the children’s?
Helmer: Both yours and the children’s, my dear Nora.
Nora: Ah, Torvald, you are not the man to teach me to be a good wife for you.
(Barnet et al. 580)
The moral law for men and women are not the same. Thus, Nora and Helmer were
not standing in an equal position in their marriage:
Helmer: I would gladly toil day and night for you, Nora, enduing all manner of
sorrow and distress. But nobody sacrifices his honour for the one he loves.
Nora: Hundreds and thousands of women have. (Barnet et al. 581)
Because of Helmer’s words, Nora didn’t believe that Helmer and she could live
together like a couple with equal status and their marriage was not meaningful any more.
Therefore, Nora decided to break with the convention to seek for her own self-esteem, and
left Helmer in the end, leaving him astounded alone.
III. Conclusion
The ending of this drama may be imperfect because when Nora run away from the
prisoner her husband set for her, she also gave up a lot of important things in her life, such as
her children, her stable life and the innocent happiness. That is to say, leaving Helmer was a
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cruel thing to her in fact. After all, Nora had depended on Helmer for a long time. Nobody
knew what would happen to her after she went away and whether she gave Helmer a lesson.
Some readers considered it was unfortunate and they hoped Nora and Helmer could
have a happy ending--the miracle did happen and they could remain being a happy couple.
However, in Nora and Helmer’s marriage, they lacked communication since the very
beginning. It had been so long that their relation couldn’t be mended.
As Ibsen put in his
“Notes for a Modern Tragedy”:
There are two kinds of moral law, two kinds of conscience, one in man and a
completely different one in woman. They do not understand each other; but in
matters of practical living the woman is judged by man’s law, as if she were not a
woman but a man.
Due to the above reason, the sad ending was unavoidable and it is what really
happens every day. There is still inequality between men and women in our society even
though women are encouraged to realize themselves. The play Ibsen wrote one hundred years
ago has awakened women’s self-esteem, and it has a great effect on women’s liberation. Even
though Ibsen himself claimed that A Doll’s House was only a question of human rights
(Barnet et al. 552), its influence on 20th century women cannot be underestimated.
IV. Reference
1. Barnet, Sylvan et al., ed. “A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Trans. James McFarlane”,
Types of Drama: Plays and Contexts, 8th Edition, Longman, 2001.
2. Ibsen, Henrik “Speech at the Banquet of the Norwegian League for Women’s Right,” 1898.
3. Ibsen, Henrik “Notes for a Modern Tragedy,” 1871.
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A Woman’s Self-realization—Discussing How the Heroine of Ibsen’s A doll’s House Changed
4. The University of Chicago (n.d.). Nora Play Notes, Retrieved February 28, 2008, from:
http://www.courttheatre.org/home/plays/9899/NORA/PNnora.shtml
5. About.com (n.d.). A Doll’s House: Plot Summary, Retrieved January 14, 2008, from:
http://plays.about.com/od/plays/a/dolls_summary.htm
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