ibsen quotes and themes

diminutive terms

skylark, your little squirrel, your little bird, your little spendthrift.”

I’ve been your little skylark... I’ve been your little squirrel.”

modifier “little” emphasizes Nora’s role as a submissive figure, dependent on Torvald for validation and purpose.

“We are going to have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas!”

Nora’s attempt to portray an image of domestic bliss contrasts sharply with the reality of her life.

transactional marriage

noras father and her husband = ‘i passed from papas hands into yours’ and ‘ive been your doll wife just as i was papas doll child’

mona caird

victorian marriage ‘ a vexatious failure’ and the ‘economical independence of women is the first condition of a free marriage.