Realism

Is the trend of viewing or representing things the way they are and also treating the subject matter that shows a cautious description of everyday life. It can also be referred to as a hypothesis of writing where the common, dull and normal aspects of life are represented in a direct manner. This straight forward manner is meant to reflect life as it is (Wilder, p.4).

Realism is well presented in the play A doll’s house and one example is the marriage between Torvald and Nora. The marriage is shown realistically for a pretense it actually is and this is pointed out by Nora at the end of the play. She explains that they have not been living a genuine partnership of shared sharing and caring but they have rather been “playing” at marriage. Their home has been portrayed as a “doll’s house “instead of a normal home, "I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you wanted it like that” (Törnqvist, p.2).

The character of Torvald is portrayed realistically as his arrogance is shown together with his selfishness and authoritarianism. It is clear that his concern for his wife is not passionate and he does not take care of his wife because he loves her, "From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance –“. He only takes care of her because he thinks of her as his inferior. In fact he does not take care of her but only controls her by working out his power all over her daily life. Realism is also shown when Mrs. Linde loses her husband and is left alone with no job and money, “my life is so dreadfully empty and I feel so forsaken. There is not the least pleasure in working for one's self. Nils, give me someone and something to work for” (Bloom, p.114).

The conclusion of the play itself is realistic as it has not specifically insisted for an unhappy conclusion. It has insisted of a conclusion that is sensible and reliable according to the circumstances. This is clearly shown when Nora leaves Torvald which is sensible with her character as she has gained self awareness. The conclusion also does not give an unexpected happy ending with Tovald and his wife falling into the arms of each other. He swears he will change at the end of the play and asks her to stay. Nora on the other hand looks reality in the face and does not agree to his promises. This is because she does not place any faith in his honesty. Nora’s leaving is also presented realistically as it is not glorified considering the hardships she will encounter (Törnqvist, p.2).

The truth is that she will be separated from her children whom she loves dearly. She will also be required to make her way in the tough world on her own. It will be difficult for her because the life she has been living has not prepared her for what she will encounter from now on. The conclusion presents very well that her future will not be easy as she will have no one to turn to or comfort her. It is also realistic that there is no magnificence or over-romanticizing in a “Doll’s house” because there will be only agonizing choices (Bloom, p.114).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Work Cited

Wilder, Thornton, and Henrik Isben. A Doll's House. , 2016. Print.

Törnqvist, Egil. Ibsen: A Doll's House. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 1995. Print.

Bloom, Claire. Leaving a Doll's House: A Memoir. Boston: Little Brown, 1998. Print.