Literature

Symbolism in Henrik Ibsen ‘s

A Doll ‘s House

Henrik Ibsen ‘s play , A Doll ‘s House , is a play essentially about human rights . It is about how double standards , oppressive tradition , and materialistic greed make life a lot less than it can be

Nora ‘s macaroons

Nora ‘s husband Torvald imposes rules upon his household that are just as irrational as many of the rules of society , particularly concerning women . Among other things , he prohibits her macaroons and tells her how to dress . Thus one of the foundations of their [banner_entry_middle]

marriage is control Nora is like an object that Torvald uses instead of a person who desires independence . Nora ‘s act of hiding her macaroons symbolize the lies that must be told and the secrets that must be kept in to maintain a peaceful and harmonious marriage and family life with her manipulative husband . However , the macaroons also symbolize Nora ‘s emerging independence – she knows what she wants (the macaroons , and is slowly beginning to defy her husband ‘s rules in to get them – although she does this illicitly

Christmas

The fact that Christmas and Christmas eve are important events in the play symbolize the materialism of society , which Nora seems to try to get out of , but is still subject to . The true meaning of Christmas is never portrayed and hardly even implied – Christmas has become a materialistic phenomenon

Tarantella

Because the impending discovery of her loan , Nora is beside herself with anxiety and stress , some of which she releases in her dance . As Torvald is about to look at his mail , Nora creates a distraction , asking him to play the piano so she can practice the tarantella , which she will dance at the ball . A little later when Torvald might go and check his mail again , Nora dances wildly , almost crazily , that Torvald remarks that it looks like her life depended on her dancing , to which Nora replies that it does . She then tells him not to look at his letters because it is Christmas after all , and gets him to agree

These symbols effectively portray how unsatisfactory and irrational life can be if we allow oppressive tradition and materialism to direct our lives . A Doll ‘s House reminds us that we must think for ourselves and try to reach the limits of our independence in to experience life as it should be… [banner_entry_footer]