The deeper I read into Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, the more I dislike Torvald’s role in the Helmer family. He is rude, impulsive, and most of all controlling, just like a doll keeper would act towards his dolls, his property. Priscilla Renea, a modern day woman in the same possition as Nora Helmer, puts it perfectly in "Doll House." Nora is definitely like Torvald’s personal doll in the way that he controls her. Nora even says, in a conversation with Dr. Rank that Torvald is like a father to her, like HER father to her (Ibsen 52). Even earlier in the story, you can tell that she wants to please him as a child would to her father in even the smallest ways such as looking intelligent for a dinner (Ibsen 43). I remember when I was about ten years old I always wanted to be the best for my parents. I always wanted to impress them by being better than everyone else, including my sister, who did not like me very much for that. In this way, I could very easily compare myself to Nora and my parents to Torvald. Sunday, May 1, 2011
"I'm Not a Doll and This Isn't a Doll's House" (3)
The deeper I read into Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, the more I dislike Torvald’s role in the Helmer family. He is rude, impulsive, and most of all controlling, just like a doll keeper would act towards his dolls, his property. Priscilla Renea, a modern day woman in the same possition as Nora Helmer, puts it perfectly in "Doll House." Nora is definitely like Torvald’s personal doll in the way that he controls her. Nora even says, in a conversation with Dr. Rank that Torvald is like a father to her, like HER father to her (Ibsen 52). Even earlier in the story, you can tell that she wants to please him as a child would to her father in even the smallest ways such as looking intelligent for a dinner (Ibsen 43). I remember when I was about ten years old I always wanted to be the best for my parents. I always wanted to impress them by being better than everyone else, including my sister, who did not like me very much for that. In this way, I could very easily compare myself to Nora and my parents to Torvald. 
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(This is a response to both of your "3" posts):
ReplyDeleteGreat work, as usual. Your analysis of the play is spot on, and your links are both fitting and interesting.
Random comments:
- I do not think I will be listening to Demi Lovato again anytime soon.
- The signs of a controlling boyfriend link reminded me of the many different criticisms of Edward Cullen. While many of these exist, I found this one to be particularly complete in its analysis: http://pamgutz.livejournal.com/6499.html
20/20