analysis of doll house

Norway at the time . The impression one gets when reading the play is that middle-class society is brutal unforgiving and restraining all at once . For those who can afford to live in the mainstream of middle-class society in Norway , life is good enough . However , it comes at a price . One must conform to the rigid strictures of middle-class stratification

Persons existing on the inside are expected to value money , tradition and contracts . Those who do not are outsiders and are isolated from Norway 's middle-class society . This aspect of the play is

manifested in the portrayal of Linde and Krogstad who have fallen from the echelons of Norway 's upper-crust and are struggling to re-enter society . This is evident in every aspect of their dialogue and also in their appearances From the onset we get the impression that although younger than Nora and Torvald , Linde and Krogstad look far older . The stress of living on the outside looking within is an inescapable conclusion

To emphasize this point Ibsen contrasts the cold wintry exterior to the warm and cozy indoors of the middle-class . The winter weather is a metaphor for the cold isolation Linde and Krogstad must feel as outsiders . Moreover , Ibsen takes pains to illustrate the dank and dreary living quarters Krogstad resides in with his children

The social ills attributed to the middle-classes are also demonstrated in the character of Dr . Rank . His name of course is the most obvious Rank is an English word depicting both social stratification as well as an unpleasant odor . When we learn that Dr . Rank a respected member of the upper-crust society in Norway is suffering from syphilis , a disease he acquired from his father , we are at once aware of Ibsen 's message People tend to inherit , for good or for ill...