“A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen is a brilliant play that can be seen as a Bildungsroman. In the play, we examine Norma Helmer’s life and interaction with other characters and her family. Ibsen leads the reader through a series of systematic events that help us, as readers, understand how Nora develops. The surprise ending of “A Doll’s House” only helps to add to the finished feeling of a great example of a Bildungsroman.
A Bildungsroman is a type of novel that is a novel of development. This development can be moral, spiritual, psychological, or social. In Bildungsromans, characters transform into adults from children, they come of age. Also, in Bildungsroman novels, the main character usually takes a long journey or adventure to help enable the transformation.
In “A Doll’s House,” we see many strong characteristics of Bildungsroman novels. As the play progresses, we, as readers, are able to witness the development of Nora. In the beginning of the play, Nora acts very “child-like”. She is treated as a child by her husband, and is extremely idealistic and materialistic. Her behavior, thoughts, and speech are childlike in the sense that Nora is extremely eager and does not think things through. This behavior is seen when Nora and her husband are talking about the “pots and pots” of money that they will receive once Tolvod gets his new job, and Nora obsesses over buying new material objects.
Her childlike behavior begins to undergo a transformation once her friend, Ms. Linde, comes and visits Nora. Initially Ms. Linde calls Nora a “girl” who does not know real struggles in life. But Nora shows Ms. Linde that she has experienced difficulty in life and knows hardship to a degree. We are revealed a side to Nora that is not obvious when we first meet her. The transformation from girl to woman continues as the play continues.
When Krogstad enters the play and threatens to destroy the stability of Nora’s family by revealing the “secret” of Nora’s source and method of loan. When Nora finally reveals the truth to her husband, she comes of age through understanding. Nora reveals her mistake, but also gains understanding. Nora tests Tolvod’s love to understand the status of their relationship. Nora learns that though Tolvod stresses mutual dependence, he really does not mean it when his reputation is at stake. Nora comes to understand that she must live her life independently, because her marriage was based on idealism and dreams.
Nora undergoes a transformation from a girl to a woman through her understanding on the life and relationship she is living. “A Doll’s House” exemplifies perfect characteristics of a Bildungsroman, and after viewing Nora’s transformation we see how Bildungsromans do not just have to be applied to novels. Though Nora does not face a long and difficult journey or adventure like other Bildungsromans, she faces her own adventure and journey through the path of self realization. By reading or watching the play “A Doll’s House,” readers and the audience are truly able to understand the significance of the play to a greater degree and appreciate the plot and characters in the story.
6 comments:
I like the analogy. Nora's not the traditional young person setting out on life's journey and discovering the ways of the world. But as you point out, she has been so sheltered that she is child-like in many ways, and the discoveries she makes in the course of the play do constitute a coming of age. Good idea.
I pretty much agree with your whole post. Wasn't the macaroons thing weird? I mean, what does her husband have against macaroons?
I feel almost like Nora didn't mature at the end of the play--what was more important was just that she'd realized that she had to mature in order to be at peace with herself.
I like how you point out that a Bildungsroman does not have to apply to only novels. I agree with your post in that this play depends on a character's maturation to convey its intended meaning. Good post.
Hey Aravind,
I think you made a strong point about Nora's maturation throughout the play; I'd never thought about it that way. Her behavior really was childlike in the beginning, and in the final scene, she is definitely much more wise and determined.
Great job showing us the progressions, from beginning to end, of Nora.
And nice job at practice yesterday! Lol
-Pipes
Avavindi,
I really liked your blog concerning "A Doll's House". Before reading this I never thought of labeling a play a Bildungsromans as you so cleverly pointed out. But I think that it is a good point you make since she does seem to really develop as a stronger woman as the play progresses. Thank You.
Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the Pen Drive, I hope you enjoy. The address is http://pen-drive-brasil.blogspot.com. A hug.
Post a Comment