the play `A Dolls House`

Henrik Ibsen 's A Doll House

Thesis : Ibsen 's A Doll House ' portrays the state of women being treated like dolls to be controlled , manipulated , and superficially admired by a patriarchal society

The character of Torvald Helmer represents a patriarchal society

Torvald Helmer sees his wife as a child who needs to be guided and controlled like a doll

Torvald Helmer amuses himself by mocking his wife ceaselessly without considerations for her feelings

Torvald Helmer only perceives the superficial qualities of his wife

Nora 's married life to Torvald Helmer

represents the influence of a patriarchal society

Nora sacrifices for and submits to her husband 's desire

Nora puts up with being ridiculed by his husband

Nora lives in fear from her husband pushing her to keep a secret from him

The theme is developed through the interactions between the characters of the story

Nora borrows money secretly in to save her husband from a serious illness

Torvald Helmer found out about Nora 's secret and confronted her with it through insults and hurtful words

Nora refuses to put up with Torvald Helmer 's behavior anymore and leaves him

Quotes

There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and

debt . We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far , and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle

Come , come , my little skylark must not droop her wings . What is...