A Doll's House Themes Flashcards
Theme of love and marriage
At the start, Nora and Torvald seem happy in their marriage, and they married for love rather than necessity like Mrs Linde. However, their marriage is governed by strict societal expectations which dictate the roles they play. Nora is aware of the roles (she often acts helpless for Torvald) but believes that beneath it all, Torvald loves her just as deeply as she did when she broke the law to save him. However, Torvald shows that he truly cares about his reputation over Nora. Ibsen could be suggesting that the way that marriage was practiced in society makes it difficult for there to be any true love in marriages.
Theme of gender
Ibsen uses ADH to expose the restricted role of women at the time and the large imbalance of power between men and women. Nora’s dissatisfaction of her position as a woman grows throughout the play, at the end leaving Torvald because she was not being treated like a human with a mind of her own. She leaves domestic life behind, despite Torvald saying he will change, suggesting that she and Ibsen believe that the problem is more deeply routed in society and how they legally and culturally infantilize women. The men also are seen to play the role expected of them, Torvald and Krogstad are both highly ambitious as they strive for respect, status and the ability to provide.
Theme of money and work
In ADH, Ibsen often uses money to symbolize the power that characters have over one another. Torvald dictates how much money Nora can spend, Nora’s debt to Krogstad gives him power over her. Nora and Mrs Linde are unable to earn large sums of money sue to them being women. As a bourgeoisie family, having money is important to keep up their appearance.
Theme of deceit
Ibsen presents deceptions all throughout ADH. Nora’s secret it the main large deception, but deception can also be seen in Krogstad (his crimes parallel Nora), Nora’s presentation of herself in front of Torvald (plays into the dumb helpless woman idea), and the presentation of their marriage, especially right after Torvald finds out Nora’s secret. Nora’s deceit was not due to a personal flaw, but rather the only means necessary to overcome restrictions to commit a noble act.
Theme of individual v society
Nora often puts others before her: she thinks little of how her forgery will impact her, rather thinking about her children and Torvald. She also considers killing herself, not to hide her shame, but out of fear that Torvald would ruin himself trying to protect her. Mrs Linde also admits that without others to care for, her life feels pointless. Nora learns that prioritising being a wife and mother will never lead to true happiness, and when Torvald is not willing to sacrifice his reputation for her, she realises that they don’t have the true love that she thought she was sacrificing herself for. The play ends with Nora putting her needs as an individual above society’s expectations of/for her.
