A+Doll's+House+Symbolism+Analysis

This peace isn't one of my best pieces. It has a lot of problems with it. It applies to my theme because there are ups and downs to this piece. Some of it might be good while other parts of it might be bad.

One of the many symbols Ibsen uses in this play is the slamming door. The literal meaning of this is that Nora is angry with Torvald after the big fight, then she leaves him and when she leaves she slams the door. But, the broader meaning of it is that Nora is shutting out her past and heading toward a brand new future. She leaves Torvald and leaves the children with him because she feels like she doesn’t even know him like she is married to a complete and total stranger. Another one of the symbols used in this play is the masquerade. The literal meaning is a dance where you were masks and no one knows who you are. But, the broader meaning of it is everybody disguising their lies and guilt. Nora hides behind the lying to Torvald and not telling him about the loan. But, she feels the guilt of lying to her husband for a big part of their marriage.

Ibsen also used the symbol of the letters in this play. The literal meaning of this is that people write down stuff they don’t want to say face-to-face. But, the broader meaning is people hiding their secrets, so they don’t end up blabbing them in front of someone. Like with Dr. Rank, he is in love with Nora, so he just sends the letter with the cross on it, so he won’t say something he will regret. Also, with Krogstad, he sends the letter saying the loan that Nora had, and he also sent the I.O.U. back. Everybody just wants to hide from saying something really bad.

Another one of these symbols is the one with the macaroons. Nora loves to eat macaroons. The literal meaning of this is Nora loves to eat them, and Torvald bands them form the house. But, the broader meaning is Nora having a sweat tooth and spending money on things she doesn’t need. She is always wasting Torvald’s money, but it was really to pay off the debt from the loan.

One more symbol used in this play by Ibsen is a fancy dress. This is when Nora wears the fancy dress to the masquerade dance. The literal meaning of this is Nora wanting everybody to think that Torvald has a beautiful and elegant wife. But, the broader meaning is concealing the guilt and lies in another dress. But, the fancy dress takes away that guilt for at least one night. She doesn’t feel that comfortable wearing classy and elegant clothes because she is not like that.

The last symbol is the tarantella. It is a dance that people dance at balls. The literal meaning of the tarantella is trying to stall Torvald from getting the letters. But, the broader meaning is to shake away the nervousness and the guilt. She just isn’t ready for him to find out about the loan.