The Symbol of letters in "A Doll's House"

The letter is a symbol used by Ibsen in ”A Doll’s house” for irreversible truths which occur in the play; as at first Helmer sends a letter to Krogstad, revealing the harsh reality of his notice, which in turn triggers Krogstad’s own letter which depicts Nora’s crime and secret life which is hidden from HelmerThe symbol of the letter is used to emphesize the reality of these truths which ,once stated cannot be retracted or controlled, much like sending letters. Showing the effect of the information on the characters lifestyle as it is ireverable.

In the scene we see Nora’s hope that there is “still time” for Helmer to recall the letter from Krogstad, and therefore she will escape the discovery of her secret and crime by Helmer. Nora’s fate seems to be connected to her husband and families “for my sake, for your own sake, [and] for the children’s sake”, this triad emphesises the the deep anxiety has over the effect that the unveiling of her secret will cause on their family life.

This also highlights Helmers control over the communication as he has the power to  “call…back” the letter, even though he doesn’t have the full knowledge of the consequences, while Nora does, as she borrowed the money from Krogstad, which creates dramatic irony.  As even though Helmer has power, he doesn’t understand his acts. This is shown through Helmer’s diologue as he sends the letter fire Krogstad due to his “moral failings”, however the letter triggers the revealing of Nora’s own crime and the release of her true immoral self.

The letter seems to become a major issue for Nora, she becomes paranoid and anxious about Helmer’s discovery of it “Theres no hope for us now-the letter is in the box”. She becomes completely obsessed with the idea, and we see the contrast as at first her secret life gave her power and confidence, but now it gives her constant doubt and worry “He must never see it”. Nora seems to relate her life to the length of time she has before the discovery of her secret, suggesting her loss of control of it, and emphesizing how it begins to determine how she acts around characters, “The letter! No, Torvald, no!”.

We see another dramatic shift in Nora’s character at the end of Act 3 when she tells Helmer that “[he] must read [his] letters”. Nora finally understands the importance of a life of honestly, and cant continue containing her secret which may be revealed at any moment “oh if only it were all over”. She wishes Helmer to read the letter to release her from her secret and to start a new life separate from him and from his confining personality.

When Helmer discovers the second letter from Krogstad which frees them of their debt, he “[tears] the two letters in pieces”, highlighting the end of its control over Nora and their freedom from debt and deceit, as everything is finally revealed. The symbol of letters is also used in the last lines of the play, to contrast the previous function of letters as Helmer asks whether “[he can] write to [Nora]” to maintain the connection between them. This contrasts the previous letters which were feared and which were used for unveiling truths, to simple communication between the two characters as Nora leaves his household. 

Irony of Nora and Krogstad's similarities & effect on Nora's personality in Act Two

Through Nora and Helmer’s discussion we learn that Krogstad, even though perceived as the villain in a doll’s house, has a connection with Nora and her past as they have both committed the same crime in society- to forge a signature. This shows the restricted and moral laws of society, which limit the characters in their actions, and creates a conflict between what they perceive as morally correct opposed to breaking the law. “I call him a moral outcast”. This is highlighted through Nora’s deception, as she borrows money and forges her father’s signature out of love for her husband and their lifestyle as she wishes to save his life, even though it is against the law to do so. “The journey was to save my husbands life-how could I give it up?” Her love for Helmer and moral sense of right and wrong overrules her duty to society and laws.

Helmer is associated with law and rules in the play, due to his position in society as a former lawyer and banker, therefore having encountered the dilemma between justice and injustice. However Helmer is also linked to the idea of law due to his status in their family society. Where Helmer is the head of the household and maintains power over the rest of the family- allowing him to create and control laws which he imposes on the rest of his family “no borrowing, no debt”.

The irony of Nora’s deception to Helmer is revealed through dramatic irony in their discussion, as Helmer judges and condemns the actions of Krogstad, unknowingly passing judgment on Nora by association, due to her performing the same offense. “When I’m near people like him I actually feel physically ill”. This is ironic as we know that Nora has committed the same crime as Krogstad, and that she is lying to Helmer, however he still imagines her as his “little songbird” that he loves dearly. This encourages Nora’s fear that Helmer’s perception of her will change if she reveals her secrete and that he will abandon her and stop loving her if he discovers her deception from him, as it goes against his laws of the household and her duty to him as a wife. Which is shown through past experience of the macaroons. “I would never do anything you wouldn’t like”.  However Nora is given hope that Helmer might not be so harsh with his conviction, when he says “I’m not so hard-hearted that id condemn a man outright for a single slip”. Nora clings to this opportunity that Helmer wouldn’t completely fault her for her actions and that he may understand the real reason for her action. Which leads to her idea of the “miracle” of Helmer sacrificing himself for her, as she has done with her debt. “No you wouldn’t, would you, Torvald?”

Nora seems to finally realize the gravity of her actions through their conversation, and continues to get more distressed, due to her similarity with Krogstad. Helmer describes Krogstad as “a guilty man” and “hypocrite”, since Helmer believes that one “Can redeem his character is he freely confesses his guilt and takes his punishment”. Frightening Nora as she hasn’t fully understood the ensuing consequences and hasn’t given consideration to how others would view her deed. Emphasizing her lack of knowledge of the world and laws around her as her father and Helmer have sheltered her, leading to her disregarding the rules of society. She believes that they would understand that it was all to save her husband, rather than simply as moral injustice. We see the connection between Krogstad and Nora as they both “must lie and cheat and play the hypocrite with everyone”, which is shown through Nora’s deception to Helmer and her double personality, since she cant tell Helmer of her borrowing of money.

Nora gets more flustered when the idea of her impurity of soul would “poison” and “infect” their children, her most loved possessions in the household. She discovers that by being “immoral” and deceitful she “infects and poisons the whole life of a home”. Giving her an anxiety as she blindly listens to Helmer’s advice without contradiction and applies all of his accusations to her and the life she leads. Allowing her to believe that through playing with the children, she infects them with her own “lies and deceit”, therefore causing them to become like her and ‘evil’ in their actions and thoughts.

The irony is shown in the last section of their discussion, when Helmer asks Nora to shake hands with him to “not plead his (Krogstad’s) cause”. Nora’s growing awareness of her exploits leads to her not wanting to shake, as she is similar to Krogstad and doesn’t wish to continue being a “hypocrite”. Although Helmer, oblivious to this, encourages her to do so, maintaining his perception of her as his “sweet little skylark”.

The discussion between Helmer and Nora has an effect on Nora’s appearance in Act Two of “A Doll’s House”, she appears flustered and disorganized as she believes all of which Helmer has told her, and applies it to herself, both have performed similar ‘crimes’ against society. Nora’s secrete seems to take control of her, she becomes paranoid of Krogstad and the revealing of her secrete, which she constantly considers, rather than her previous serenity and joy of the independence which it gave her. “[walks about restlessly]” . Nora is unable concentrate on her current life, the danger of her secrete and its consequences completely overpowering her. “don’t think about it- don’t think! One… two...three…four… five…six-[she screams] Ah, they’re coming!”. Throughout the scene, Nora constantly alludes to her fate in her converstation with other characters, “There are worse things then that”. Emphesizing her obsession with her secrete and the major role it plays in her life.

In the beginning of act two we also learn that Nora has isolated herself from her children as she doesn’t wish her “immorality” to  effect them and the life they lead, as she sees herself as a bad role model for them.  “I can’t be with them like I used to”.  When talking to the maid, we see that Nora plays with the idea of leaving her children, asking her that “If my babies hadn’t any other mother, I kno you’d…” showing her concern on her effects on them. “Do you think they’d forget their mamma altogether if she went away?” highlighting her flustered thoughts about her previous conversation with Helmer. 

The character of Mrs Linde

Mrs Linde:

The character of Mrs Linde is used by Isben as a foil character to highlight different aspects of the main protagonist, Nora. Through her discussion with Mrs Linde we understand the other side of Noras bi-polar character which cherishes the independence which she is thrust by borrowing money from the bank when Helmer fell ill, and who is kind and self-less as she tries to help an old college acquire work at the bank. This side of Nora is hidden from Torvald, as in their relationship he exercises his control over her, allowing Nora to seek to please him by doing “tricks” for him, emphasising their patriarchal relationship.Therefore Mrs Linde is used to convey the dramatic irony, as we understand the other side of Nora’s character and her deception, which Helmer appears to have knowledge of. Mrs Linde is also used to show underlying theme of women’s rights in the play, as she is a widower she follows different laws from the rest of society and is able to work and travel and support her family financially on her own, without the constraints of a marriage. This emphasises that although men were perceived as having higher status and controlling education in society, women were still able to receive important jobs. Represented through Mrs Linde acquiring the high standing job at the bank. This shows that although women’s rights were not established at this time period in Europe, women are still able to hold the same status and positions as men, highlighting Isbens personal views on women’s rights through his depiction of Mrs Linde as a strong confident individual.

The character of Mrs Linde is rather subdued and wise as she seems to 'know' and have experienced all of the hardships of life "subdued", "dear Nora, i do understand" she knows the complications and distractions of life due to her working to support her family and brothers without a husband to support her


Travels alone, is able to have the freedoms of a lifestyle unsubjected or controlled by a husband


The character of mrs linde is used by Ibsen to highlight the other personailty of Nora, of an understanding and caring individual, more sober and sensible, which is hidden from Helmer. We understand that she isnt selfish and that she wishes to hear about Mrs Linde life.


"Yes it must be pleasant to have everything you need" she doesnt know the luxary as she has been striving hard in order to support her family with no comforts for herself.


"It happens like that sometimes, Nora" she seems superior due to her experiences and treats Nora as a child, we learn that Nora has not been subjected to any of the hardships of working class, as her only experience of work has been " odds and ends of needle work" in order to repay her debt to the bank, "your a terrible spendrift", "wagging her finger at her" this condescending manner of adressing Nora is imitated in Mrs Linde as at first she percieves Nora as Helmer does, as an innocent and unknowing house wife who has no knowledge of greater troubles. "Your only a baby Nora!" She wants to prove herself and gain respect in the eyes of her college, trying to create her own individual identity. "You know your simply dying of curiosity" She cherishes this new found freedom as sje discovers a personality who isnt connected to the financial gains of her husband and she wishes to keep it hidden from Helmer, as she fears upsetting him. "Well one day, perhaps, but not for a long time"


Nora starts to realize her status of being a lower educated person, controlled as her husband through talking to Mrs Linde. "You're like all the others,- you none of you think i could do anything worth while" She is proud to announce that she has some independance from her husband and his finance as it was her decision to borrow the money to pay for the holiday, she begins to 'see clearly' and wants to become more like the character of Mrs Linde and create her own identity seperate from Helmer. She confesses to Mrs Linde how she has secretley borrowed the money from the bank and reveals a hidden aspect of her personality- of a women struggling to pay of debt but who is still proud, as it was completley her idea. She wants to be strong and independent like her friend, who comes seeking a high-rate job at the bank and who is free of all of the constraints of a marriage so that she is able to find herself and build her place in society.

Research Project on "A Doll's House" and the life of Henrik Ibsen

Research Project on "A Doll's House" and the life of Henrik Ibsen

By Elise and Alice

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1flP4kRCz2hOtr-qrWSJOP3VhDkO5Xjd1DkdyQtlwm_U/edit?hl=en&authkey=CNn1tc8H#

Messages conveyed in the stage directions Act One (p149-151)

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. 

The depiction of Nora and Torvald's relationship through actions and diologue in Act One (p147-151)

The relationship between the two main characters of Nora and Helmer in "A Dolls House" are established through the diologue and stage directions which take place in Act One. The relationship between the characters is quite simplistic, derived from the 1870s time period in which it is set. Helmer, the husband is the head of the household and is the most important in the family status, he controls the families lifestyle according to his own views. This is depicted through Helmer's actions and diologue towards Nora.Nora has respect for her husband and "goes cautiously to her husbands door and listens" rather than disturb him to find out if he his home. She also listens to his advice and tries to include him in her everyday chores "Come see what vie bought".  Helmer treats her as  a child calling her "scatter brain" and "my lost squirrel" giving the impression of ownership, and that she is in 'his' household for his enjoyment. Throughout the scene Helmer continues to use  pet names such as "feather brain" and "sulking squirrel" which undermine Nora's authority in their relationship and emphasis his power over her. When Nora arrives home from shopping in town Helmer asks "has featherbrain been out wasting money again", making Nora appear as a foolish girl who has no knowledge of money and that she spends it unknowingly, which shows Hemler's perception of her. Helmer's controlling relationship is also shown through their discussion of money early on in Act 1. Although both have conflicting ideas on spending money at christmas time, Nora eventually gives in to his opinion "very well if you say so". This emphasizes how she adapts to suit his point of view even though she disagrees with the idea herself. She obeys and changes her own opinions to match Helmer's showing that she has no way to stand up to defend her own beliefs in the relationship, meaning that her own views are forgotten and ignored. Helmer believes he is superior and that he must "protect her" as she is so delicate and unexperienced that he must decide all of the aspects of her life without consulting her, he appears to dictate his opinions to her "no debts, no borrowing", his views soon become the reality and laws of the household as Nora  replies to him that she "would never do anything you didn't like" . Helmer's protective and controlling nature lead to his ideas being imposed on Nora through their relationship despite her beliefs, leaving no room for confliction. Which causes Noras' deception from Helmer, rather than telling him the truth which he will not accept, she decides to hide information from him. This means that although they are married, their relationship is not very deep and meaningful, since Helmer doesn't consult the details of their lifestyle with Nora, which means she cannot express her ideas and show her traits through their lifestyle and therefore she has no knowledge of law or the world around her. This is highlighted when Helmer asks Nora what she wants as a present, rather than giving her a surprise. Showing that he has no knowledge of her interests as their duties to the family are completely separate. However Helmer seems to be infatuated by her in the play as he "follows her" around the kitchen and talks to her, showing that he is in love with her. Helmer depicts her as a lover and yet he is unable to consult with her the issues of their married life, leaving her no concerns and no knowledge of law or the world around her. Which leads to the deterioration of their relationship as Nora discovers she needs to express herself and therefore seeks to escape the stifling confines of his opinions.