Henrik Ibsen- A Doll’s House.

Nora is treated like one of the children by her husband, Torvald. She does not have her own opinions on matters and she depends entirely on him. Torvald - “My little bluebird...keep her nose clean..sing only sweet little pure notes...” She borrows money off one of Torvald’s employees, Krogstad and is paying him back month by month but Nora has committed fraud, as she signed the IOU for her father as he died shortly before. Krogsad - “You do realise you have committed an act of fraud?” Everything is fine until Nora’s friend Kristine, from her childhood, turns up looking for work. Krogstad finds out Kristine is taking his position at the bank and knows he’ll “...end up back in the gutter.” Torvald finds out from Krogstad through a letter and completely rips into Nora “...Hypocrite. Liar...” “...you’re never seeing the children again...” Another letter is received straight after this argument from Krogstad giving back the IOU and apologising for any upset. Torvald acts like he hasn’t done anything wrong and totally contradicts himself. “...You can’t believe I’ve forgiven you everything?...” “...you did it out of love for me...And you were right to...” Nora suddenly has an epiphany and expresses her thoughts and feelings for the first and last time. “...you just enjoyed the idea of being in love with me...” “...It’s your fault and my father’s fault that I’ve never made anything of myself.” “...I’ve been your doll...” Nora then leaves and slams the door shut behind her.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

My opinion on what one of the meanings behind the play is, is about false love and fear of being alone. Torvald for example likes the idea of being in love with Nora and makes up silly scenarios in his head “secret lover” “wish you were in danger so I could risk my life to keep you safe”. Dr Rank is really in love with Nora but Nora is just a flirt with him and toys with his emotions. Torvald and Nora don’t want Dr Rank to die and leave them, as they see him as being part of their family. This is because he is round their house every day and both their moods seem to be uplifted when he is about. Also with the children, Nora does not spend that much time with them and leaves them with the nanny (Anna). She especially does not want to spend time with them or care/show love for them after what Torvald say about Krogstad poisoning his children with his lies. Another false and real love theme is from the fact that Anna, the children’s nanny, gave up her own child to look after Nora when she was a child. This shows she has real love for Nora and would do anything for her. My final outlook on false love is the relationship between Kristine and Krogstad. Yes, they were in love at one point but Christine left Krogstad for a richer man (false love) for the sake of her sick mother and younger brother (true love). Although, by some “miracle” Christine miraculously falls back into love with Krogstad and he takes her back. What the audience/reader is left pondering, has she really fell for him again or she doing it because of her love and friendship for Nora.

My other thought on the meaning of the play is possession and control. Possession is such a powerful word especially if you’re talking about possession of another human being. Torvald has complete ownership and power over Nora as whatever he says she does and whatever Torvald’s thoughts are she would have the same views as him. Also Krogstad is very much in control of Nora because he knows something about Nora that no one can ever find out. This gives Krogstad the power to make Nora feel as if she is going mad. “In case I go out of my mind.”
In the Helmer household there is such a clear pecking order with the characters. Torvald; very clearly is right at the top of this, Nora; who is utterly wrapped around Torvald’s finger controls Anna the nanny, then Anna; she controls and has possession over the children, as she is the one who they spend most of the time with. Krogstad is also in control of Nora.

conclusion
My first thoughts after reading the play and after seeing the stage production of A Doll’s House are in some ways different, but also some ways the same. My feelings that are still the same is that all the characters were people that I loved to hate. Some of them were more annoying than others but you enjoyed disliking them. I understand now, that is the persona that Ibsen wanted to give them.
I appreciate the title ‘A Doll’s House’ more so now because I realise now they all play a role in this ‘Doll’s house’. Each of them are manipulating and are being manipulated by someone during the course of the play. For instance, Torvald is manipulated by Nora when he regularly falls into the trap of giving her money, which he cannot really afford. Also when she uses her feminine charm. “...You must sacrifice yourself completely for me...”
Overall, my enjoyment of the play grows as I find out and grasp more about the Henrik Ibsen play.