The Greatest Miracle of All
A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, is considered to be a feminist play that reflects the marital relationship in the 19th century. Furthermore, this play is an important work of the naturalist movement in which real events and situations are performed on stage using easy, everyday language. The author introduced the characters which are: Nora; Nora's husband, Torvald; their friend, Dr. Rank; Krogstad; Mrs.Linde and the Helmer's children.
In the beginning of the play, the audience may perceive Nora as a silly, playful woman who always seems to rely on her husband: "… but I can't get anywhere without your help."(Ibsen 1237). Also, the audience may even see her as a victim, a doll who is controlled by her husband. For years, Torvald have been treating her as a naïve child and often call her: "My little lark" and "My songbird" and Nora did not seem to mind it at first but later on, things have changed.
Although Nora is perceived as a childish woman, she uses this image to cover up her hidden independence and illegal actions. For example: when Nora buys Macaroon and lies to Torvald about it: Torvald: "Not a little nibble at a macaroon? Nora: "No Torvald, I promise you honestly!"(Ibsen 1208). Nora also rebels against society's morals and laws: Mrs. Linde to Nora: "women are not allowed to borrow money without the husband's consent", yet, Nora rebelled against society and took the loan in order to preserve Torvald's health. She saw that law is unfair to women: "a woman hasn't a right to protect her dying father or save her husband's life! I don't believe that" (Ibsen 1251).
As the play progresses, Nora reveal that she is not just a silly girl as Torvald and others think. She understands business detailed to the loan she took; which indicates her intelligence that she spent all these undercover paying her debts. In addition, her fear for Torvald's health and taking the loan shows courage.
In the final act, the audience notices Nora's...