Individuality in Ibsen’s 'A Doll’s House'
Liberation of the individual is 'A Doll’s House''s most central theme. Nora displays individuality through defying social norms and realising the need to educate herself. This reflects Ibsen’s view of an ideal society, one where everyone exercises individuality and unbiased thought.
Initially, Nora appears to firmly confine herself to societal norms, being a member of a stable, bourgeois family unit. Nora's delight at the receiving of money appears materialistic, but Nora is truly raising money to pay for her husband treatment, treatment which Nora attained through defying the law. Nora ignored the law and replaced it with her morals, referring to the law as ''silly'' numerous times throughout the play. Another societal norm which Nora defies is the idea of marriage. The societal idea of marriage and children locks one person to another, legally and socially binding them. Defying this social standard displays Nora’s independent and individual thought. This is especially surprising coming from a woman in the 1880s, a group whose primary goal was, and in some cases, still is, seen as child-rearing.
Initially, Nora appears to firmly confine herself to societal norms, being a member of a stable, bourgeois family unit. Nora's delight at the receiving of money appears materialistic, but Nora is truly raising money to pay for her husband treatment, treatment which Nora attained through defying the law. Nora ignored the law and replaced it with her morals, referring to the law as ''silly'' numerous times throughout the play. Another societal norm which Nora defies is the idea of marriage. The societal idea of marriage and children locks one person to another, legally and socially binding them. Defying this social standard displays Nora’s independent and individual thought. This is especially surprising coming from a woman in the 1880s, a group whose primary goal was, and in some cases, still is, seen as child-rearing.
Nora realises that she must educate herself before she could ever marry and raise a family, displaying her distrust of the beliefs held by other people, exercising her individuality. Nora begins to rightfully consider herself, evident from quotes such as ''What about me?''. By realising that she has been a victim of societal indoctrination, rather than actual education, Nora is displaying a high-level of individual thought. Nora is even completely breaking the cycle of child-indoctrination by leaving, as a victim of society's indoctrination herself, highlighting Ibsen's belief of immediate and revolutionary change of society. Leaving the home also emphasises how Nora is thinking of herself, a woman who has been denied the opportunity to be an individual.
We see Ibsen's acceptance of Nora's individuality in the closing scene, when Nora presents Torvald with many logical and sound arguments which justify her decision to embark on a mission to become a well-rounded and true individual, rather than one morphed by discriminatory social norms. It is clear from Nora's individuality that Ibsen is praising the concept, not condemning it. A society of individuals seems to be Ibsen's personal utopia.
In conclusion, Ibsen provides us with an individual character through defying social norms and realising the need for education, rather than learning through societal indoctrination. Ibsen affirms his support for Nora's individuality in the closing scene, where Nora provides Torvald with logical arguments justifying her decision. The individual is vital to this text.
We see Ibsen's acceptance of Nora's individuality in the closing scene, when Nora presents Torvald with many logical and sound arguments which justify her decision to embark on a mission to become a well-rounded and true individual, rather than one morphed by discriminatory social norms. It is clear from Nora's individuality that Ibsen is praising the concept, not condemning it. A society of individuals seems to be Ibsen's personal utopia.
In conclusion, Ibsen provides us with an individual character through defying social norms and realising the need for education, rather than learning through societal indoctrination. Ibsen affirms his support for Nora's individuality in the closing scene, where Nora provides Torvald with logical arguments justifying her decision. The individual is vital to this text.
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