What information do the stage directions give the audience?
Setting:
Object Correlative ( When the setting symbolizes character/s) The setting of the play is "a comfortable room, furnished inexpensively, but with taste" showing that the room is in a middle classes home which is nicely designed, for a number of functions and for everyday use and comfort, with things placed beautifully, although it is inexpensive, which shows that no money is wasted on decoration. This highlights the character of Helmer, as he doesn't wish to waste money, but wants to save it for other uses. Empathizing Helmers control over the family lifestyle as even the house is designed to his taste and ideals, rather than Nora who as the wife is supposed to decorate the house and appears to spend money on the household setting. This is used to symbolize Nora and Helmers conflicting personalities, as the room is inexpensive yet it has taste and design.
Nora and Torvald's duties to the family are very separate. The space beyond the main setting is Helmers study, showing his education, professionalism and power advantage over the rest of the family. Represents a Private space for himself where he can do as he pleases, no one can interrupt as they have respect for his status in the family"goes to the door and listens" rather than knocking.
"handsomely bound books" educated and sophisticated, the rest of the house is described as inexpensive showing an investment in knowledge and education/learning. Although he books appear as untouched and beautiful as Nora doesn't read them. Emphasizing the gender discourse, that man controls education, through Helmers thinking and learning status in the family. This is subtly hinted as 'handsome' is a male adjective. The class system is based on gender. "Nora! Just like a woman" helmet sees her as incomprehensive and unknowing about the important aspects of life, showing how men have more powerful status as they 'know' more than women, this highlights the time period at the time of the play, as women were not given rights in Europe, and were classed as lower then men.
Ibsen is very detailed and precise in his writing, he mentions small, seemingly insignificant details systematically which are used to represent the different ideas and characteristics throughout the play. He is re owned for his modernist and realistic drama and attempts to convince the reader that the play is real, by giving very detailed descriptions which leave no room for the director to use artistic license. All of his plays are based on his life experiences and he tries to replicate them in the play. Allowing aspects of Isbens life to show through the storyline. This is also shown in the status of the family. Isben appears preoccupied with class in "A Dolls house", in his lifetime he experienced a drop in class from middle to poor which is shown in the first discussion between Nora and Helmer about their rise into class.
Symbolism:
The Christmas tree represents life, as Jesus was born on Christmas while the winter setting symbolizes death and decay. These two conflicting themes of life and death occur throughout the play to show the death or Dr Rank and Nora's married life with Helmer to the last scene where she leaves to begin a new life and to find herself in the world.
Nora seems to have a bipolar character; she spends unknowingly on presents for her children and the household. She seems to not care about the cost saying "we can loan" and no keep the change" verses her image of saving frantically in order to pay off the debt she owes to the bank, in order to pay for the trip to Italy which saved Helmer's life. "Locked up him her room every evening… staying up past midnight" trying to earn money. "Money!" she is excited by the prospect of money as a child is by toys. At first she appears as greedy as their relationship seems to be based on her impressing and "doing tricks" for Helmer for money. However we learn later on that it is just part of her attempt to save her family from the social embarrassment of being under debt.
Themes:
The theme of money is introduced to us in the first scene through Nora and Hemlers discussion on the spending of money and their ideas on borrowing money. Already we see the conflicting opinions of their personalities which are highlighted and shown through aspect of money constantly throughout the play. Nora believes that borrowing is not a ad idea as it would mean more money straight away, while Helmer disagrees "no debts, no borrowing" which he enforces on Nora.
Another theme which is established at the start of the play is deception. Helmer's controlling relationship with Nora leaves no room for her to express herself and her own opinions as an individual, and she therefore decides to hide information which will not impress him rather than consulting him. This theme is represented at the start "Slips the bag of macaroons and wipes her mouth". Nora hides the fact that she has been eating sweets from Helmer and when he asks she replies " I promise i haven't, i wouldn't do anything you didn't like". Showing straight away that there is a gap in their relationship, and sets the grounds for the secret of her owing debt to the bank even though she knows Torvald is against it.
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