A Doll House
...are. The theme of self-discovery can be viewed throughout
the entire play. Nora's character plays an important role in self-discovery. She is a
dynamic character who proves at the end of the play that she accept and discovers who
the true Nora is.
The play begins with a direct emphasis on Nora and her husband (Torvald)
relationship. One can easily assume that their relationship is based on material things and
status. It appears that money is the one thing which is keeping their marriage what is
considered to be happy. Throughout the first act Torvald immediately begins referring to
his wife with childlike names. In the first opening lines he refers to Nora as "my
squirrel." Throughout the play, Torvald continues to uses nick names such as "little song
bird", "skylark", "odd little one" and many more belittling names. The usage of the above
nicknames shows that Torvald feels superior to Nora. He wants to keep her small and
under him. For this reason, he continues to refer to Nora in this manner throughout the
play. Torvald and Nora's relationship can be viewed at first as a happy and pleasant one.
At the same time one may view their relationship as that of the ordinary. Torvald does
not see Nora as an equal. He fails to realize that she is a woman and not a child. He
continues to speak to her in a childish manner because he views her for her appearance
and not for who she really is. It is clearly presented that Torvald takes his position as
being superior because he feels that Nora is dependent on him. He believes she is
narrow minded and ignorant because she is a woman.
In the first act it is also indicated that money plays an important role throughout
the play. Nora proves to be an insensitive and self-centered woman when she is visited by
her old friend Mrs. Linde. Her first...
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