Muhammad Usama mughal
The Doll’s house is penned down by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen who was realistic and supporter of Marxism, with also widely recognised as the “Father of Modernism”. The story revolves around major character, Nora Helmer who managed to awake from her male-chauvinist and tortured domestic life, which she silently endured hugely.Being dominated the entire life by previously her father and later her husband Torvald, she finally raises the question of basis of everything she has ever held as her marriage is tested. By using her father’s signature to borrow money from a shady/ill-famed character named Krogstad, she managed to pay for a trip to Italy to treat her ailing husband (who was uninformed of the loan and thought the money might have come from Nora’s father). Her husband was on the deathbed, therefore Doctor advised Nora privately ( Torvald had no knowledge that he was suffering from disease) to take your husband to a country like Italy to have some freshing and soothing and breezy cold. Furthermore, she hit upon a plan to pay back the loan she illegally received by forging her father’s signature that caused her to become more and more preoccupied with heaps of money and made her life more difficult. Christmas eve is in full swing, when the play opens. Everyone prepares for the joyous evening of Christmas, even Nora’s family. We come to know that Helmer Torvald, husband of Nora, has just been elevated to the higher position of bank manager, where he will receive much reputation, and obtain handsome salary. Nora becomes crazy with happiness, with such thought that she, ultimately, will be able to clear the debt thoroughly and live a happy and prosperous life. However, fate wasn’t in her favour. Things went against her with her happiness thwarted on. When krogstad—full of anger— comes to her home and threatens her and her husband. He has just come to know that he has been fired from his job, and promised to assign it to a lady, namely Mrs.Linden( who is a school friend of Nora and has just arrived in the town for the quest of employment from her husband Torvald), Krogstad stated in a furious rage. He paces toward her, and browbeats her to tarnish both her and her husband’s reputation and image in the society while disclosing her secret unless she convinces her husband to help him regain his fired position. Upon hearing this, she experienced a wave of anxiety and pressure engulfed her. Nora, then makes every effort to convince her husband to let Krogstad keep in his position, and not to terminate him. Despite all her convincing tricks, and efforts, it was all in vain. Her husband, Helmer told her that Krogstad was a man of ill-reputation and morally corrupt. Therefore, it would cost him dearly, if i allow him to keep his job. To her dismay, she felt hapless and became worried. The following day, Nora was turning the corner from the corner in the house with nervous excitement on its peak. Moved by much fright, thinking lest Krogstad should come and reveal her secret to her husband. To her slight surprise, her nervousness dwindled for a moment because of her preparations for a gigantic fancy-dress party to be held the next day at night in her neighbour’s residence. Again, fear and anxiety haunted her, seeing her husband Torvald entering home. Once again, she tries to persuade him with her feminist tricks. Having got angry, this time her husband not only rejects her request but also immediately gives ultimatum by dispatching the letter of dismissal to Krogstad, with a bitterness in tone, he categorically states,“ he himself will bear the brunt of baleful consequence as a result. Touched by this acerbity and acrimonious thing, suicidal impulsive and thoughts fell upon her for the betterment of marriage turning into a tarnished one marked by stigma being attached. Nora tries to woo Dr. Rank and flirts him, as she comes to learn that he is on the verge of death. Just before she seeks financial support from him, she has a cozy discussion with him in order to trap him in her web. At last, she manages to make him show love for her. However, in the meantime, their intimate conversion comes to halt after being heard about Krogstad’s coming. Immediately, Nora lets Dr rank out and Krogstad in. Prior to Nora and her husband’s return after the following evening party, Mrs. linden and Krogstad happen to meet in the Torvald’s study room. She( Mrs. Linden) requests to look after Krogstad and his kids, and assist him to become a good man, though he has abilities to have. When Torvald comes back home from the party, Mrs. Linden was just leaving—Krogstad has just left before Mrs.Linden. Helmer Torvald takes Nora to the living room, expressing his desires for her, meanwhile he is disturbed by the presence of Dr. rank who comes to bid farewells to Nora secretly, but unbeknownst to Helmer. When Dr.Ranks leaves home, Nora lets out Dr’s secret and reminds Torvald of the ugly truth of death that has suddenly fallen between them, discouraging him from pursuing her further. She accepts that she will have to end her life when she realizes that Torvald has at last gathered his letters. As soon as she leaves, Helmer stops her furiously. Because he has just read krogstad’s letter and felt overwhelmed with sadness and anger by what the letter contains in its content. He says Nora,“ you have destroyed my whole happiness and have ruined my future”. He tends to accuse her of being an unprincipled, wretched woman, and hits upon a plan to leave her. In the meanwhile, during his angry speech, maidservant, ELLEN comes with another letter from Krogstad meant for Nora. Upon reading the letter, Helmer Tolvard overwhelms with great joy, happiness. Immediately his colours changed and manner of speaking as well. Soon later, he informs her that everything is finished since he has forgiven her for what i have said and her pitiful attempt to assist him has just made her more lovable. Nora bids him to sit down and says him leave you after witnessing true colour and character of him. She tells him that you have never loved me and sh too doesn’t love him after that night, despite his protest. Nora tells him that after living an oppressive and authoritarian life until now, she herself builds her character, discovers the world for herself and remains independent. Before she walks away, she says in a poignant voice that she hopes for a “miracle” to happen—that maybe one day, they may be able to get married in a real sense. Here the play ends with the door slamming behind her. To cut a long story short, the author attempts to reflect how male-dominated society wielded its powers over women in 19th century in Europe. Henrik wants to convey how restrictive societal norms and gender roles of his time played their roles in degrading women in patriarchal society. How a woman’s struggles are crushed. Freedom of individuality, self-identity, and baleful implications of conforming to societal norms are the major themes discussed on. These things still hold a striking resemblance in even 21th century. The supremacy of men, power of money, dogmatic outlook and limitations imposed by traditional norms still challenge gender roles, specially of women in patriarchal society, individual identity, freedom of individuality.
