A Doll's House
...osive was the message of a Doll’s house- that a marriage was not sacrosanct, that a man’s authority in his home should be challenged (Meyer 455).” Her actions and dialog brought into question the established ideas about marriage and a man’s authority. Sacrosanct means secured by a religious sanction from violation, infringement, or encroachment, inviolable, sacred (Oxford Dictionary pg?).” Her ultimate decision to leave her home disturbed audiences internationally. Nora’s behavior and dialog is in complete contradiction to the traditional values of the period. It is by Ibsen’s dynamic use of his main character Nora that he makes his audience see that even the marriage institution and authority must be questioned. Next Ibsen has confronts his audience with the need to question societies ideas of an individuals duties. Helmer. Before all else you are a wife and a mother. Nora. I don’t believe that any longer. I believe that before all else I an a reasonable human being, just as you are- or, at all events, that I must try and become one. As a woman of the Victorian era, Nora’s first responsibility is suppose to be to her husband and to her children. These are what Helmer refers to as her “sacred duties.” A Victorian woman was not expected to have any goals or desires outside of taking care of her husband and children. She was suppose to live to make them happy. After Nora’s awakening to this fact, she comes to realize following the accepted values of society would make her a doll (Badger)*. Thus, she rejects society’s ideas of who she is suppose to be and sets out to find herself. Ibsen believes our most important duty in life is to first figure out whom we are instead of accepting societies definition of who we should be and what we should do. Meyer said in his biography about Ibsen and his play, “the prime duty of anyone was to find out who he or she really was and to become that person (Meyer 457).” Just as Nora rejected societies ideas of whom she should be, Ibsen wants his audience to do the same. Instead, Ibsen believes that each one of us should figure out on our own who we are. Then we should strive to live in accordance with that even if it defies the established ideas. This is why Ibsen has Nora leave her home. Nora leaves out on a quest of truth. The truth of her identity and thus her liberation from the restraints of a society that has made her a “plaything” (Badger). Ibsen wants us to question everything. This way we can test what we have been taught to believe to see if it is true. Near the very end of the play Nora says “I am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world of I.” This is a very powerful statement, for it shows Nora’s decision to reject the accepted ideas of society and see for herself what is true. The only way we can truly be free in life is if we rid ourselves of lies. Thus, to free herself Nora is going to question everything. Nora says “I can no longer content myself with what most people say, or with what is found in books, I must think over things for myself and get to understand them.” Ibsen believed that the only way for anyone to be free was if they questioned the established beliefs and ideas that they had and made sure they ...