Henrik Ibsen's a Doll's House Research Paper

" Ibsen demanded justice and freedom for every human being and wrote a Doll House to inspire society to individualism and free them from suppression." (http://www.helium.com/items/1121047-henrik-ibsen-dolls-house).

In the play, the family exists in the way society defines it -- a husband, a wife, children and a home; but in reality it is just a collection of strangers living in the same house. For Nora the crisis of blackmail and her husband finding out about the loan and forgery becomes a moment of enlightenment. When Torvald yells at her and does not takeover to save he, she learns that he is not a real husband and she is not valued as herself but for the role she plays in Torvald's efforts to meet society's expectations. Nora turn her crisis into a moment of self-actualization.

For Torvald, the crisis he thought he faced was the consequences of Nora's actions, however, the real crisis Torvald would face comes after Nora's departure.He must face that he no longer meets society's expectations for a successful man. He will need to examine his motives and may or may not come to understand Nora's claim that her obligations to herself, must come before her obligations to him and the children.

In this play, the family's role was not one of support and guidance; instead it proved to be a means to an end for Nora. Through her relationship with Torvald, Nora learned what is truly needed to become one's self. Early in the play Torvald tells her, "I would not wish you to be anything but just what you are, my sweet little skylark." This message can either be interpreted to mean to stay as you are now or to be only your true nature. Torvald tried to keep Nora the same as she was and Nora, bravely, wants to become herself......