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Essay / Ibsen's View of Freedom and Social Morality in A Doll's House 19th century society as an oppressive influence on the individual and their personal freedom. . Victorian society emphasized respectability and the bourgeois moral code, which, when challenged, caused the individual to be stigmatized and ostracized. The characters in Ibsen's play both expressed and rebelled against these ideals, sparking debate about the conventions of society and allowing the audience to think critically about their own families. This ability to start a conversation is what makes “A Doll’s House” relevant even today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Freedom is a central theory in the play and an idea that the protagonist Nora is particularly passionate about. As a Victorian woman, Nora would not have had the same freedoms as her male counterparts such as Helmer, Dr Rank or Krogstad. Patriarchal ideals were supported and reinforced by a social structure over which women had little or no control; they were still dependent on their husbands and fathers, as well as on marriage and motherhood. Often women were still considered the property of their husbands, Helmer clearly represents this with “all the beauty that is mine, all mine”. At the beginning of the play, Nora's ideas of freedom are still based on these principles, referring to being "free." To be free. Spend time playing with children. Have a clean and beautiful house, just the way Torvald likes it. In this way, her freedom still supported the idea of being submissive to her husband and her role as wife and mother. This is reiterated by Helmer near the end of the play when he says "above all, you are a mother." However, at this point, Nora's character has developed as she responds to Helmer, "I don't believe that anymore." I believe that I am above all an individual, just like you. Therefore, her ideas about freedom changed from one focused on her husband to one focused on herself. A motif of freedom for Nora could be the macarons which first appear in the first act, here "She takes a packet of macarons out of her pocket". and eat one or two; then she walks cautiously to her husband's door and listens. The buttons represent the small liberties she chooses to take, which is significant because it is against Helmer as can be seen in the second half of the quote. Macarons could also mean temptation, as in their second appearance when she offers one to Dr. Rank, he responds "Macarons?" GOOD! I thought it was forbidden in this house. Helmer allegedly shared his reign for Nora, revealing their personal affairs to his friend Dr. Rank. This shows Helmer's controlling nature, as he is able to limit Nora's actions even though he is not there. The fact that Nora continues to eat them after this shows her rebellious nature. During a discussion about banned macarons, Nora mentions to Mrs. Linde that "the thing is he's afraid they'll ruin my teeth", this ties into the idea of Helmer preserving his "property", as it is suggested throughout the play that he married. Nora for her looks, as in "When I'm not as pretty as I am now." Don't make fun of me! I mean, of course, when Torvald isn't as devoted to me as he is now. Contextually, this would also make sense as women were often praised and valued for their beauty above all else. We
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