Use of Symbols in Ibsens Play, A Dolls House Essay

Symbols are used universally to arouse interest and to stimulate the mind. Henrik Ibsens play, A Dolls House, is filled with symbols that represent abstract ideas and concepts. These symbols successfully illustrate the inner conflicts that are going on between the characters. A few of the symbols are the Christmas tree, New year’s day, the title of the book and the nicknames Torvald called Nora emphasizes a theme of comparing perfect marriage relationship to the reality of the relationship, that is an artificial â€Å"Doll’s House† relationship. The Christmas tree, a festive object meant to serve a decorative purpose, symbolizes Nora’s position in her household as a plaything who is pleasing to look at. Ibsen’s use of the Christmas tree is†¦show more content†¦A dollhouse is a small symbol of a real house because of this fact that in it people act as if in a Doll’s house. Like children playing a dolls house game Torvald tells Nora wh at to do or expects her to do things, and Nora being a doll responds acting like a squirrel. The way they speak to each other proves how unreal their marriage is and how little they know about each other. The staging of the house is a characteristic of a real dollhouse, just ordinary items such as fire burning in stove, small table and engraving in the walls. The description of the house brings to the mind of the readers as if they were in a dollhouse. Nora for only reacting to what Torvald wants shows the dollhouse treatment she receives from her husband. The use of nicknames in literature is an important tool in which the author can provide insight into the attitudes of the characters toward each other and to provide illumination as to the nature of specific character. Torvald uses nicknames that influence readers in a negative way allowing the reader and helping the reader view how he treats Nora as lifeless doll. Name-calling shows who is in control. By calling Nora names Torval d puts her in a situation where she cannot act but can only respond. Torvald also controls Nora as a puppet with other more degrading names and things, calling her â€Å"Featherhead†. This controlling attitude of Torvald forces Nora to break from this fake relationshipShow MoreRelatedA Doll’s House play by Henrik Ibsen shares many comparisons and contrasts with the short story â€Å"The1300 Words   |  6 PagesA Doll’s House play by Henrik Ibsen shares many comparisons and contrasts with the short story â€Å"The Storm† by Kate Chopin. In fact, Ibsen’s play premiered at the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen, Denmark on December 21, 1879. This play aroused significant changes in the attitudes towards 19th century marriages (princeton.edu). Interestingly, â€Å"The Storm† stands as the sequel to Chopin’s other short story â€Å"At the Cadian Ball†. Kimbel wrote in his article on Dictionary of Literary Biography, â€Å"Her first two Read MoreHenrik Ibsens A Dolls House1489 Words   |  6 Pagesaudience in, create a believable situation, and illicit a particular response. The play â€Å"A Doll’s House† by Henrik Ibsen provides an excellent example for analysis, with each component strongly supported. Often the first, and most obvious, component that can be observed when reading drama is the point of view that it is written from. Point of view determines the perspective from which the story is told. In a play there is typically not a narrator, leaving the audience to witness the action andRead MoreRights of Women in the Nineteenth Century and in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House1103 Words   |  5 Pageswho was born in Norway but made his name internationally, was a painter as well as the one of most famous playwrights during the period of Realism. Ibsen’s plays are well-known by the themes of domestic and political issues and conflict in nineteenth century. Scholars call it â€Å"Ibsen’s problems play† (Henrik Ibsen, 650). In addition, in Ibsen’s plays, the general topics that are usually discussed are hypocrisy of the society, restriction of women, and the self-sacrifice. Under the influence of IndustrialRead MoreAnalysis of A Dolls House Essay1108 Words   |  5 PagesWrite a paper that explains how history is portrayed in a particular play emphasizing what a certain historical event, personage, or situation enables the playwright to communicate. Discuss what effect the playwrights transformation of historical reality has on an audience. Henrik Ibsens widely regarded work, A Dolls House, was first introduced in 1879 as a theatrical presentation of human rights. Today, Ibsens work remains as such, although often conveyed as more focused on womens rightsRead MoreA Dolls House -H.Ibsen ,Critical Analysis1554 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Subject : Drama B Writer : Henrik Johan Ibsen Genre : Realistic Modern Drama Name of the Work / Play : A Doll’s House ( 1897 ) in three acts Characters : Major Characters / Minor Characters Nora Helmer ( wife of Torvald Helmer ,mother of three children ) Torvald Helmer( husband of Nora Helmer , a lawyer ,father of three children ) Dr. Rank ( doctor ,friend of Nora Torvald Helmer, confidant ,commentator ) Mrs. Kristine Linde ( old friend of Nora Helmer ) Nils Krogstad ( barristerRead More Symbolism in A Doll’s House Essay949 Words   |  4 PagesHenrik Ibsen’s â€Å"A Doll’s House† is a controversial play focusing on the marriage of Nora and Torvald Helmer. The play is filled with symbols that represent abstract ideas and concepts. These symbols effectively illustrate the inner conflicts that are going on between the characters. Henrik Ibsen’s use of symbolism such as the Christmas tree, the locked mailbox, the Tarantella, Dr. Rank’s calling cards, and the letters allows him to give a powerful portrayal to symbolize aspects of characters andRead More Symbolism in A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen Essay example2771 Words   |  12 PagesSymbolism in A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen      Ã‚   A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen is perhaps one of the most hotly debated plays to come out of the 19th century.   The 19th century continued the process of the demystification that began with the Enlightenment.   Because of the discoveries of the Enlightenment, humans could no longer be sure about their place in the universe.   This, of course, had an impact on the theater.   The movement toward realism, which, like the 19th century in generalRead More Essay on Animal Imagery in A Dolls House974 Words   |  4 PagesAnimal Imagery in A Dolls House    Animal imagery in Henrick Ibsens play, A Dolls House is a critical part of the character development of Nora, the protagonist. Ibsen uses creative, but effective, animal imagery to develop Noras character throughout the play. He has Torvald call his wife his little lark(Isben) or sulky squirrel(Isben) or other animal names throughout the play. He uses a lot of bird imagery-calling her many different bird names. The name Torvald uses directly relatesRead MoreEssay on Themes and Symbols in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House1296 Words   |  6 Pagesdoll-child† (Ibsen 1491). Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House tells a story of scandal and deceit set in the Victorian era. Nora Helmer is married to Torvald Helmer and she feels more like his toy than his wife. Nora had to have Torvald to be able to do anything, because of when she lived. Nora borrows money behind her husband’s back (which is illegal at this time) and tries to cover up everything she has done. Ibsen employs the use of many themes and symbols in his A Doll House to show the reader just how NoraRead MoreNoras Child-like Nature i n A Dolls House Essay1162 Words   |  5 PagesHenrik Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, carries an adolescent connotation, with dolls holding immediate association with young girls and youth. In this controversial playwright, Ibsen portrays his Danish protagonist as an ignorant juvenile. Set in Copenhagen, Denmark, during the 1880’s, Nora’s childlike character suggests what the lifestyle of many women during that time may have been. Ibsen reveals Nora’s innate, childlike nature incorporating strategic set placement and direction, significant symbols, an