A Doll’s House

Changes In “A Doll’s House”

Written by Henrik Ibsen

A Doll's House's central theme is change from society. This is demonstrated by several of its characters breaking away from the social standards of their time and acting on their own terms. No one character demonstrates this better than Nora. During the time in which the play took place society frowned upon women asserting themselves. Women were supposed to play a role in which they supported their husbands, took care of their children, and made sure everything was perfect around the house. Work, politics, and decisions were left to the males.

Nora's first change from society was when she broke the law and decided to borrow money to pay for her husband’s treatment. By doing this, she not only broke the law but she stepped away from the role society had placed on her of being totally dependent on her husband.

Nora's second change from society views was shown by her decision to leave Torvald and her children. Society demanded that she take a place under her husband By walking out she takes a position equal to her husband and brakes society's expectations. Nora also breaks society's expectations of staying in a marriage since divorce was frowned upon during that era. Her decision was a change from all expectations put on a woman and a wife by society.

In conclusion Nora secessions are very deliberate and thought out. She knows what society expects of her and continues to do what she feels is right despite them. Ibsen, the author, in which to show faults of society, uses her changes. In the first secession Ibsen illustrates that