Symbols Flashcards
What does the Christmas tree represent?
• the Christmas tree delivered in Nora’s flurry of excitement for Christmas. It symbolises family happiness and unity. As well as the joy Nora takes in making the ‘home’ look pleasant and attractive. At the beginning of act two the tree has been stripped and the candles burned out to infer Nora’s deterioration of her wanting to stay in a role she is clearly not happy in. By the end of the play it is shown that the tree represents Nora’s innocence while foreshadowing the helmer families eventual disintegration.
What do the macaroons represent?
• the macaroons are introduced in the exposition of the play as torvald bans her from eating any of them. Although she claims she hasn’t ate any this is proven to be false. They come to represent Nora’s disobedience and deceit. Indicating a relationship between the macaroons and Nora’s inner passions, both of which she just hide within their marriage to portray it as perfect.
What does the tarantella represent?
• like the macaroons, the tarantella symbolise a side to Nora that she cannot normally show. It is a fiery passionate dance that allows Nora to drop the facade of perfect mild mannered Victorian wife. Nora uses the performance to please torvald. He admits that watching her perform it makes him desire her. However, it is only under extremely controlled circumstances and torvald seems to enjoy this.
What does the dolls house represent?
• there are a few mentions of dolls houses earlier in the play however by the climax of the play audiences understand it is an extended metaphor to symbolise the control that torvald has had over Nora. At the same time, it shows Nora’s powerlessness and voiceless nature attempting to keep the facade of perfect obedient wife. Ibsen uses the dolls house as an architect to construct the social structure that is present in the world of the play.
