In four pages this paper examines the social drama A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen in a consideration of protagonist Nora Helmer's innocence. Three sources are cited in the bibliography.
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of the innocent creature journeying through the world to discover basic human values...Only an innocent, fearless creature has the power of vision to see through false values of sophisticated society"{Marianne
Sturman). This quotation lays the foundation for a candid discussion of the circumstances which kept the character, Nora, innocent, and more than a bit naive to the ways of the
world. However, innocence should not be mistaken for an inability to adapt and overcome, as Nora more than adequately demonstrates her ability to do so in Henry Ibsens play, A
Dolls House. Noras innocence allows her to see through the subterfuge and masks that polite society adopt in order to make their way in the world. However, in the
day and age in which this book is set, Nora is kept, much like a doll, away from the necessity to struggle for a living. However, lack of struggle does
not make her unintelligent. In fact, she is just the opposite, having become a master manipulator. Of course, like most women of her time period, manipulation was the only way
in which they could achieve their own goals. In this respect, women were reduced to the role of children, begging for various venues. The men of the time, especially her
husband Torvald, belittle their women and define their mates based on their potential as a companion, housekeeper, and the ability to produce offspring. This attitude is quite evident in
Torvalds belittling attitude of Nora. One of the very first scenes between them the reader realizes that he is going to be a domineering and demeaning person to Nora as
he downplays her suggestions with trite phrases such as you and your frivolous ideas and just like a woman(Ibsen, pg. 2). These are the types of phrases one uses with