Reflective Statement

Todays interactive oral covered realism and heredity in Henrik Ibsens A Doll House.
Before the presentation, I did not know anything about the impact societys views during the
19th century had on development in theatre, nor did I know about the different formats
appearing during the time period. The presentation and interactive oral revealed the
changes in dramatic style and impact of society on the plays being made.
Most of the class did not know about the political standing in Europe during the 19th
century. We learned The Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin, published in 1959 that
greatly influenced the way society thought at the time, which in turn influenced Ibsen as a
playwright. It proposes the idea that people are controlled by heredity and social
environment, a statement reflected in A Dolls House, where multiple the characters are
shaped by heredity. The cultural context of this play and the effects on the play itself
showed me that most literature from different time periods will have ideas that reveal the
time period it was made in, no matter how subtle. A Doll House features a message on
contemporary social issues that is also prevalent in todays culture.
The presentation also spoke about the rise of realism in drama. Learning about the
characteristics of realistic plays let me learn about the importance of the props in A Dolls
House, and how all the props in a realistic play have a symbolic meaning. In A Dolls House,
with knowledge of the contemporary social issues at the time in conjunction with knowing
the symbolism of props in the film, Noras final decision could be foreshadowed. In the
interactive oral, we discussed the idea that Noras ball dress as a prop symbolizes her false
identity, and her taking it off at the end can foreshadow Noras decision to leave Torvald,
and send a message about womens independence, a significant social issue at the time.
This interactive oral changed how I understood the societys influence on theatre at
the time, showing me that these plays even has the most subtle references to the time
period it was made in within the text. However, this also raises a question. The social issue

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in A Dolls House, womens independence, is still relevant today. Hence, would a timeless
play, one that captured issues that were relevant across all time periods, be possible?
Word Count: 397

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Dramatic Conventions and Male Characterization in A Doll House

Henrik Ibsens play, A Doll House was set during the 19th century, when gender
roles were still very stereotypical and both men and women had assumed tasks within
society. Women were typically working within the household, while men would be the
breadwinners of their family. These defined gender roles can be seen within Ibsens play, as
he tells the struggles of a typical family, applying dramatic conventions to explore the
importance of a mans reputation and his role within his family. Ibsen highlights the
implications on the portrayal of a mans role through dialogue and words that demand
action, specifically promises, requests and commands. Ibsen uses such techniques in order
to characterize the male characters in the play, and explore whether these distinct gender
roles should be challenged.
Dialogue also holds an important role in characterization. In specific, Torvalds
dialogue oftentimes reflects his belief that he should be above Nora in the relationship, and
that is the role of a man. From early on in the play, Torvald seems to enjoy asking Nora
rhetorical questions such as is that my lark twittering there? Is it the squirrel frisking
around? When did the squirrel get home?(1). The questions re-appear throughout the
play, didnt she just look in at the confectioners? Hasnt she even nibbled at a macaroon
or two?(3). These are meant to make Torvald seem more intelligent than Nora and
oftentimes refer to Nora in the third person, or with a pet name. Torvalds belittlement of
Nora establishes his dominance in the relationship and imply that a man is not able to hold
a real, intelligent conversation with his wife. In relation to power dynamic and gender roles,
the nature of short, meaningless rhetorical questions to which one does not really expect an
answer to puts the person asking the question in a position of power. Thus, Torvalds
question characterize him as the one in charge - the man who holds the power in the
relationship. This power dynamic then suggests that perhaps in society, men want to be the
ones perceived as the strong one.

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Not only does Torvalds dialogue characterize his role as a male within society, but
Noras dialogue manages to characterize him as well. Noras conversation with male
characters consistently feature her being interrupted, creating an impression that her
character is submissive toward the oppressive male. When Torvald queries Nora about
what she would like for christmas, she stammers out you might, you know- you might-
before Torvald interrupts her: he tells her to Out with it! (2) Later on, she introduces Mrs
Linden to Torvald, this is Christina, who has come to town- (11) Before once again, Torvald
interrupts her. Nora, when speaking to men, frequently gets interrupted before managing to
finish her sentence. Noras struggle to get a word in suggests that she is dominated by the
male in a conversation. Torvald even tells her to out with it (2) as she stammers her way
through the sentence. The interruptions and conversation dynamic between Nora and
Torvald characterize Torvald as someone who believes that his opinion is of more
importance than his counterpart. More importantly, it emphasizes that in this relationship,
the power dynamic is such that women are kept silenced by the male. This further highlights
the idea that men of the 19th century had a dominating role over women.
Besides dialogue, Ibsen also often utilizes words that demand action to portray a
male figure. Specifically, Torvalds commands within A Doll House characterize him as a
typical male figure from that time period. When Torvald, Dr. Rank and Mrs. Linden hear the
children coming into the house and begin to leave, Torvald says to Mrs. Linden Come, Mrs
Linden. Only mothers can stand such a temperature(12). Later on, after the couple had just
finished practicing the Tarantella, Torvald tells Nora to come in; [Noras] catching cold
here(35). As a male figure, Torvald implies that he should not be the one who raises the
children; in fact, his only duty would be to protect his wife. He even goes so far as to avoid
the children and uses the word come to tell fellow Mrs. Linden to follow suit. Later, by
telling Nora to come in, he takes control of his wife in order to protect her from the outside.
His use of commands, therefore, characterize him as a stereotypical male figure, one

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whose job is not to raise the children but to protect his wife and family from the dangers of
the outside world.
Besides commands, Torvald also uses a promise, characterizing him further. In
relation to masculinity, one could argue that a mans promise reflect his honor and integrity.
After the ball ends and Dr. Rank leaves Torvald and Nora alone with the knowledge of his
imminent death, Torvald expresses to Nora that he often wish[es] some danger might
threaten [Nora], that [Torvald] might risk body and soul, and everything, everything for your
dear sake(39). He effectively says that he would protect her as a male should. This
promise to risk body and soul characterizes him, once again, as a man willing to protect
his wife.
Afterwards, he does end up breaking his promise, which if noted in reference to
integrity and honor, reflects that Ibsen suggests the male ideals of integrity and honor can
also be challenged. The act of a breaking a promise is seen as Torvalds own broken
commitment, acting in a non-masculine way. Torvalds broken promise also leads to Nora
leaving him, and shows that above all else, his reputation is more important than his role in
the household.
Not only Torvald, but other male characters also use words that demand action.
Krogstads uses demands character him as a stereotypical male figure. During his first
encounter with Nora, Krogstad demands that she help him retain [Krogstads] original
subordinate position in the Bank(13-14). Although Krogstads request may appear to be
vows, it should be understood that when taken in context Krogstad is the one blackmailing
Nora. Later on, during another meeting where Krogstad plans to leave Torvald the letter
telling him everything, he vows to Nora that before a year is out, [Krogstad] shall be the
managers right hand(28). After his demand to get Nora to help him get his job back falters,
he vows to be the managers right hand and climb his way back to the top. Like Torvald,
Krogstad shows the importance of a reputation and the significance of the opinions of

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others to a man at this time. His request and vow then reiterates what is most important to
males of this time period: their reputation.
As such, this dialogue and words that demand action reveal the implications on the
role of men in the 19th century. Ibsens usage of these literary techniques challenges the
mens role of this time. Ibsens use of requests, vows, commands and dialogue portrays
male characters such as Torvald and Krogstad as characters who care about their
reputation very much. Torvalds command for Nora to come in because she is catching
cold proves his belief that his role is to protect her. While it can be argued that Ibsen
believed that this is how men should act, this characterization through dialogue and
Torvalds breaking of his promise leading to his downfall further implies that Ibsen believes
that this kind of stereotypical mens role is not a good thing. By looking at Torvalds
characterization, it suggests that Torvalds domineering attitude, the typical portrayal of the
male role in this time period, leads to Noras eventual exit as she decides she cannot bear
to be with him.
Ibsens use of dramatic conventions within the play, then, effectively illustrates his
challenge to the role of a stereotypical male during the 19th century. His characterization of
the male character tells audiences that the typical male role is not a good thing. This was
significant in the 19th century, as it portrays the direction society at the time was taking,
challenging gender norms and tradition. Thus, not only does Ibsens use of dramatic
techniques within A Doll House characterize males within the story, but it also manages to
reflect the progression of society at the time.
Word Count: 1205
Citations and Quotations Word Count: 121
% Citations and Quotations: 10

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Works Cited
1. Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House. Trans. William Archer. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1889. PDF
File. Nineteenth Century English Drama.

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