The Opening of A Dolls House :: A Dolls House Essays

A critical analysis of the opening of the play A Dolls House. In the opening of the play "A Dolls House" ,the setting of the stage is of a house portrayed as if it were a dolls house. The items described in the house are all small therefore representing a dolls house where all items are miniature, the type of furniture owned , such as a piano, show that the family is moderately well off. There is no narrator in the play and all information and knowledge about the character is gained from listening to conversations. Ibsen has incorporated relevant information into conversations, this seems like a natural situation and makes the audience feel like they are looking onto a real house with real people. This means that the actors will have to act well so as to show audience with out seeming as if they are telling them. This means Ibsen had to write the opening of the play not only telling the audience what is going on but what has gone on. Nora is the first character introduced, and is shown entering the house on her own, the first sentence spoken in the play is said by Nora, this is to do with concealment and money. "The children mustn't see. How much is that?" This is significant to the rest of the play as these are two main themes used through the play. When Helmer (Nora Helmer's husband) enters he is then shown through out of the rest of the opening and the play, to treat Nora like a child using methods such as control and speaking to Nora in a patronising and child like manner. In the conversation between Nora and Helmer, Helmer refers to his wife as if she were inferior in the relationship using terms such as "songbird" and "squirrelkin". Nora in return replies to Helmer also using child like talk, such as referring to money as "pennies and pennies". Nora is also shown to be generous with money as she is tells the porter to "keep the change" this is an immediate indication that Nora is not worried about spending. Helmer also states that when Nora gets money it "melts in (her) hands" suggesting that she does not save .Nora's attitude towards money is also shown later in the opening when she shows no concern of borrowing money and being in debt. Nora also shows lack of feeling towards other people and there situation as long as she is ok , this shows a selfish nature as she says "why would U care if I still owed people money".