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Summary of A Doll's House

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Throughout the 19th century and especially in a period of time in A Doll’s House the women in society were bold, had childlike mannerisms or were naïve to what was happening around them. Henrik Ibsen gives us examples of how women were treated throughout society in this time period. Not only are the readers able to evaluate Ibsen’s work, but also they are able to put themselves in the 19th century with his figurative language. Nora Helmer strives for perfection when it comes to pleasing her husband Torvald. She also strives for perfection when it comes to the way society dictates her life. Nora doesn't realize that she is trapped in a doll’s house throughout Act 1 and 2, and also that the majority of her surrounding are material items. Nora appears to be a silly and selfish girl, but then we see that she has made a bold strike to save her husband's life and later to pay back her secret loan. As seen in Act 1 Nora is playing hide and seek with her kids as if she were still a kid and she hides the macaroons from her husband as if she wasn't old enough to have them. Nora picks and chooses when she wants to be an adult it seems as if these actions occur when it is convenient for her. Although women throughout the 19th century thought of themselves as of lesser value than their husbands, Nora didn't realize her worth and potential in life until almost the end of the play, it wasn't too late. Anne Marie visualized beforehand what life would be like without a stable job and knows that she has to sacrifice a lot in order to live in this society. “I was obligated to if I wanted to be little Nora’s nurse”, (II, p.30). Forcing her to give up her daughter because she had no other option. Anne Marie accepts her role in society and also she embraces it fully. Not many people in society today would give their kids up to take care of someone else responsibilities. Times have changed and loyalty has expanded not for the better, but has m

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