Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House is one of the works that most often chosen in IB English A Lit course works. And this posting will focus on the work's symbolism that requires in depth analysis when it comes to writing IB English A Literature essay.
In fact, in IB English A paper 2 exam, you may get the essay prompts that require you to properly understand and analyse the function and effect of various symbols. First, let's check various symbols that are worthy of studying in Ibsen's work.
Symbolism in A Doll's House
A. Macaroons and Stockings
Macaroons and frivolous, luxurious, sugary and unnecessary. Contradictory to Nora’s claims of debt and money-troubles. Suggests that she is indulgent and forwards the image of her being frivolous.
Exposes Nora’s fierce independent streak — goes to buy sugary food when she has no money and lies to her husband. Her own way of keeping a semblance of control.
Not just symbol of deceit, but part of the flirtation game between Torvald and Nora→ Torvald finds it endearing that Nora eats sugar. He gets pleasure and is physically attracted to a woman who is his possession. His dictation over Nora’s habits makes him feel that he has power over her
Stockings represent immorality – scandalous of a woman to show a man unrelated by blood or marriage in that era
Connected to sexuality and manipulation
B. Doors
Torvald’s office is divided. Has private space behind the door. Nora excluded from that space.
Could also represent containment and entrapment within the play
Door slamming at the end — physically represents the spaces in the Doll’s House. Nora gets her freedom by opening the door to the outside.
C. Festive setting: Christmastime & New Year’s Day
On the verge of a new year
Start of play – Torvald looking forward to new job (extra money and prestige) and Nora anticipates paying Krogstad back
By the end of play — symbol has shifted
New Year represents new start being embarked on by both Nora and Torvald who both face radically changed lifestyles
Nora leaves in the harsh, unforgiving landscape of winter. Makes her resolve to leave the marriage and forge out alone even more impressive.
D. Christmas tree
Decorative purpose - Nora fusses over the tree. Mirrors her own value in household as a pretty doll to entertain and charm Torvald.
Kept secret from Torvald — reflects Nora’s secretive nature and independent streak when she tells maid to conceal it from Torvald from the beginning of the play. The Christmas tree represents Nora’s domain.
Symbolic of the Helmers’ disintegrating marriage. Pretty ornaments and facade fall away to reveal the ugly, bare truth
Reflects Nora’s psychological state
E. Tarantella Dance
Her lifeline, keeps her alive
“Dancing as if your life depended on it” (Torvald)
“You have forgotten everything I taught you” — Could it symbolise her truly breaking free of patriarchy?
When Nora dances the Tarantella, the audience sees her as both infected and trying to ward off the poison. Represents the poisin of society: the rules and expectations that inhibit her.
Symbolises Nora’s last attempt at being her husband’s doll — dances in a very violent and sexual manner, in a way that could suggest trying to salvage their relationship. She dances to maintain her appearance with him before her life and their relationship is shattered by the letter
Frenzied spinning dance traditionally played at weddings
F. Dress (Capri)
Nora wants to tear up her dress
“I should like to tear it into a hundred thousand pieces”
Represents the confinements — even when she is in terror and at a loss she is expected to put up a pretty facade and be beautiful
Symbol of when Nora went to Italy and had best time of her life → now represents debt
Nora has to stitch it up and dance in it
Represents her marriage and masquerade, hiding the truth from Torvald
Following are the prompts from the IB English A Literature past papers that ask you to write an essay, mainly focusing on analysing the symbolism and its effects.
Prompt 1:
Symbols can help a writer convey ideas, develop characters, establish atmosphere, etc. To what effect were symbols employed in at least two of the works you have studied?
Prompt 2:
With reference to two or three works you have studied, discuss techniques authors have used to persuade readers to sympathise with their ideas.
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