Self Realization For Nora example essay topic

The play "A Doll's House,' by Henrik Isben, portrays the idea of moral corruption. The play is a serious drama about the middle class society in the 1800's where money and the law are very respected. Nora being the wife a of a banker has to handle her relationship with her kids as well as her husband who tries to maintain control of the family. This play becomes more of a self realization for Nora to stop being looked at as a "Doll' and more as someone on an equal level. At this time in Isben's life women were oppressed and did not hold the same status as men.

The idea of the play is to bring women's lack of rights to the surface and prove a point to society. The characters in this play bring out the idea of moral corruption through the themes; Individual and Society, Duty to Oneself, and Appearance and Reality. In this play the theme Individual and Society plays an important role in understanding Nora's moral corruption. Torvald who has the power in the family, frequently tries to prove it. He keeps tight control of the family and also has the only key to their mailbox.

Torvald represents society and the middle class rule. At the end of the play when Torvald is aware of what Nora did he is more willing to disown her to preserve his status in society. When Nora finds an ounce of strength, Torvald is the one who's true week identity comes out. Perhaps this is the authors way of saying that a change is occuring within the society.

It also seems that in this play society's laws are what prevent people from expressing and seeing their true selves. While Nora is arguing with Krogstad about the law he tells her that the law takes no account of good motives, and she replies with, "Then they must be very bad laws!' Nora realizes that throughout her life she has lived in two households controlled by men, and has accepted church and society with out question. Her decision to leave comes from her self realization and the duty she must take now. Another part of Nora's moral corruption comes through the theme Duty to Oneself. Nora does appear very childish even though she may seem to be able to hold a lot on her own. She takes extra pieces of candy when no one is looking, and is very thrifty with money.

She moved from her fathers rule straight to her husbands rule, and has accepted their opinions as her own throughout her life. Throughout the play little hints are brought out to her that make her want to be herself. Through the blackmail from Krogstad, Nora is faced with a new wave of self-knowledge. He starts to bring out her true self by forcing her to deal with the corruption she created. Nora starts to realize that she is someone as well and that she hides behind Torvald and society.

Dr. Rank also helps Nora figure out her true self by forcing her to face the reality of his death. This also helps her realize that the death of her marriage is near. Her accepting Dr. Ranks death allows her to accept the end of her marriage. Finally in the last scene after Torvald finds out that Nora went against morals out of her love for him, he still chooses society over love.

When he is so quick to forget about everything that happened she realizes how week Torvald really is. All this leads Nora to leave to find out who she really is and to see what she can allow her self to think on her own. She knows nothing of the world and wants to learn for herself. The third theme that leads to Nora's moral corruption is appearance and reality. Throughout the beginning of the play Nora and Torvald's relationship seems to be very good.

Torvald called Nora by pet names. Like many families Torvald worked and maintained control while Nora would shop and keep content. During the course of the play appearance seems to be more of a concern then reality, but reality starts to gradually creep up. Mrs. Linde is the first one to notice how corrupt the Helmer's family is through Nora's actions.

After Mrs. Linde convinces Krogstad to change his mind about maintaining the reality of his letter she then changes her mind again, realizing that Nora and Torvald must work things out. Even after Torvald rejects Nora he still tries to maintain the appearance of marriage. When Krogstad calls Torvald by his first name he is offended saying that it does not appear proper. Dr. Rank tries to appear healthy, and Nora and Krogstad relationship is based on hidden truths and lies.

Eventually, when reality comes out of the characters they feel whole again. When Krogstad confesses he is releasing his burdens and becoming whole. As Torvald begs Nora to stay she realizes how week he is and sees the reality of their relationship. Finally, when Dr. Rank decides to face reality he goes away feeling happy and dies in peace. In this play moral corruption is brought out through the characters and themes; Individual and Society, Duty to Oneself, and Appearance and Reality. Nora has to deal with the oppression that Torvald and society bring upon her.

She realizes that many of the laws are not right and that she should be able to see the world as it is, not based on man's opinions. Eventually, with the Helmer's concern with appearance they end up struggling while allowing reality to creep up on them. Ultimately, throughout this story Isben allows the reader to see how he relates "A Dolls House' to his own society.