New Years Changes in Henrik Isbens A Dolls House Essay

In Victorian England, women were expected to be undoubtedly obedient to their fathers, and later in life, servile to their husbands as well. They were normally forbidden to pursue a real education, and would often â€Å"devote themselves to their husbands happiness† (Roland 10). Throughout history, women have had to make sacrifices for other peoples feelings and lives. They have given up their own lives, freedoms, education, and careers due to their concern for others. A concurrent injustice occurs in Henrik Ibsens play, A Dolls House. The plays characters, motifs, and symbols support its theme; the sacrifices and decisions pushed onto women by society have hampered them from pursuing their own lives, but there is hope to overcome it.†¦show more content†¦When her husband was sick, the doctors suggested to Nora that they move south until he recovered, but not to tell Torvald that he could die if he did not. (182). At the time, they did not have the money for this, and Torvalds morals are against borrowing any money (176). Without telling Torvald that his life depended on this trip to the south, she borrowed money from Krogstad, even though it is illegal for a woman to borrow without her husbands permission (184). Krogstad required Nora to have her father sign a bond as promise that she will pay the money, but she did not have the heart to ask her father because he will ask what it is for (194-195). This is because her father was sick as well, and she could not bare it if she caused him to worry about another person when he is on his deathbed. Therefore, Nora forged the signature so she can save her husband and spare her father (195). This act greatly compromised her reputation and is a large sacrifice to make. Noras desire to please others started with her father. She accepted the opinions her father told her because she did not want to displease him. The relationship a child has with a doll is the same as the relationship with Nora a nd her father. She was simply his â€Å"doll child† (Ibsen 231). Nora makes many sacrifices for the sake of pleasing her husband, but this just helps her be â€Å"transferred from Papas hands† to Torvalds (Ibsen 231-232). He â€Å"arranged