Character Development (or lack thereof) in A Doll’s House
Many literary critics consider Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House (1879) to be the first feminist play. Ibsen’s choice to have Nora leave her unloving marriage was considered scandalous by 19th century audiences. As a result, German theater houses refused to run the play unless Ibsen wrote an alternative ending where Nora stayed with Torvald. Ibsen agreed, but later regretted his decision to bow to societal pressures by rewriting the crux of his masterpiece. He then reinstated his original ending, which is still published, performed, and studied around the world today.
In many ways, Nora can be seen as a symbol of the future, as her development from subjugation to enlightenment throughout the play mirrors the progression of the post-Victorian era feminist movement. Torvald can instead be seen as a symbol of the Victorian era status quo. As Nora’s husband, Torvald in many ways represents the imporance of maintaining a traditional family nucleus and one’s societal reputation at all costs.
For this post, write a well developed paragraph with textual citations highlighting either Nora’s progression from subordination to independence, OR Torvald’s stagnate mentality and fear of public opinion.
