The ideal of individualistic style represented in the work "Doll Casa" by Henrik Ibsen
The ideal of individualistic style of the bourgeois family represented in the work "House of Dolls" by Henrik Ibsenhenrik Ibsen was a recognized Norwegian writer, belonging to the theater of ideas. His works with this style, represented a renewed ideal that would mostly be anti systematic for the time in their social context. In 1879, he published a work that would completely change home lifestyles and would have great prestige to this day. The work is entitled "Doll Casa" showing the history of the Helmer family and the problem that the character of Nora, the housewife as the protagonist. Individualism is considered one of the most controversial social problems and of great interest. Works such as "Robinson Crusoe" have shown that individualism is usually a significant issue for the human, very important and can say a lot about it. In this case, "dollhouse" cannot be an exception; It is very notorious that it exists. Nora, Torvaldo and the children make up the Helmer’s family, which can undoubtedly contain this issue with the bourgeoisie of the Victorian era. Taking into account that their lives have more or less high status, regarding their importance.
The Helmer’s family represents the very own individualism of the Victorian era. Victorian era revolved around "the idea of spiritual marriage; The one that links souls in a metaphorical way, to adopt individuality ”(Dannery, 2017). The role of man can be represented in this way. The truth of bourgeois families was to carry out the interest of man. To some extent, they can manifest as a weakness, since they never wanted to be controlled by some other person. In addition to having poorly valued conditions in the working world. Therefore, mistreating their women was a perfect excuse against the ignorance they caused. In the work we can understand when Torvaldo arrives at his day, and suggests telling Nora that he can’t do anything.
Nora responded with her home and always fulfilled her functions, to keep her family. Torvaldo only wants to have her right, to what Nora said and never really appreciated her. Well, he uses adjectives that warn to some extent, these were like "my all -all". Meaning that he has control because this is an early morning bird, but very small in the world of birds:
“Helmer… from his office) Is it my lar. In addition to understanding the way Torvaldo represents individualism from the male world. In this way, machismo appears in a society that was going to change soon. In addition to being a clear sign that man only watched over his interest. The use of home control strategies by the husband, is part of the social schemes. The bourgeois class had to maintain with the monetary control of the husband, because the ladies could only be at home.
"Nora … what an exaggeration! Why do you say that? If I save everything I can ”(Ibsen, 2013)
"Helmer … laughing) that’s true. Everything you can; But what happens is that you can nothing ”(Ibsen, 2013)
This is considered a job, as the responsibility that leads to the family’s money. Torvaldo, he has to support his family, because it was not a difficult job, for having a high position inside the bank. Therefore, in the work he is perceived as someone too strong, but this is simple for the fear of loss of his power. Upon learning what Nora did, he judged her in such a way that she just wanted to leave, something that is typical of an individualistic attitude. Generating a significant social problem, since the way of thought is usually closed to new possibilities, such as the Helmer’s conflict.
On the other hand, we have Nora’s character that her role is perceived as unimportant, but she doesn’t feel this:
"Nora … My God! Cristina is a delight to live and be happy … Ibsen, 2013). Happiness predominates in Nora’s attitude since the beginning of the work, we cannot deduce only for the Christmas season of the family. Nora mentions Mrs. Linde, her friend who can feel relaxed. There is a reason why she presumes the great job of the husband to all, and that she specifically always expects the most important thing that is the remuneration of the same.
That is why Nora represents through the bourgeois family, the women of that time. She, very lively without understanding the issues that formed this prestigious family, who actually kept a number of hidden resentments. Ibsen maintained Nora’s charismatic idea, to the end of the third chapter, where she begins assimilating her own home. But at first there is no doubt that the bourgeois woman waited for the husband and her maintenance, since they had no other, considering what they were in living in Victorian era. Everyone wanted to improve while living in social misery.
It makes clear precisely, that bourgeois women depend on monetary aid. Because the social order would have an individualistic sense that everyone should have a husband to survive in the Victorian era:
"Nora.- When I disappear from the world, you will be free ”(Ibsen, 2013). This fragment belongs to chapter three, where Nora decides to leave the home, since Torvaldo could not assess the great help that entails monetary. Making clear precisely, that bourgeois women depend on monetary aid. Because the social order would have an individualistic sense that everyone should have a husband to survive in the Victorian era.
According to the work, the Helmer’s marriage has three children, of which no mention is made. This can be known by some Nora dialogues when telling the Mrs. Borders her situation in the first chapter, because she mentions having three children. This can represent the children in the Victorian era, because they did not involve in the parents. This can be clarified by taking into account that children have a babysitter. That is why they are never named in the work, because the rest of the characters are adults.
The children of the Victorian era have different worlds, in the case of the bourgeois they had their own babysitters and maintained that innocent illusion. "In the parks, in the afternoon, the babysites took care of the children or walked to the babies, covered with warm blankets or embroidered bedspreads, in large strollers for a walk" (Group, 2017). That is why it was very necessary to remove adult children. This could be for the protection of children, but it is also usually understood that the individualistic nature of the human. The adult world of the bourgeoisie was very set. Children received private education by their governess or nannies. The nature of the bourgeoisie was not involving children in too tense matters. But the simple fact of separating a child from her parents and forcing them to stay under the standard of another person creates individualism. In addition to being very worrying, because the recognition of parenting is due to a nanny, governess or nurse. Parents have a commitment to take care of children, but the bourgeoisie forces them to have their own interest and abandon children, to stay in a more comfortable status. Adults preferred to pass an atmosphere of problems alone. In the work it is clear that children are not part of the family, if it were not for the sustenance of having a child or person in charge of attending them. Adults live their individual life under self-interest. When that can be better controlled in a slightly more familiar ideal.
In conclusion, the work written by Henrik Ibsen contains the individualism of bourgeois society. Taking into account each of the members of the Helmer family, it can be found that each one is under their own interests and purposes. Either in the material or monetary, they usually have a great impact within the dialogue lines and their influence is going through the wall and children. All are divided and are united under a dependency.
Bibliography
- Dannery, d. (September 30, 2017). Cultural sphere. Retrieved on June 2, 2019, Blue and Frie.com/Blue-Fia-La-Casa-Munecas-Del-Tet-Caracas/7674
- Group, h. d. (March 27, 2017). The Victorian house. Retrieved on April 11, 2019, from London Rico, London Poor: https: // lacasavictoriana.com/2017/03/27/London-Rico-Londres-Pobre/
- Ibsen, h. (2013). Doll’s House. (J. P. Novoa, ed., & E. Ecuador, trad.) Quito, Ecuador: Editorial Ecuador F.B.T. Inc. LTDA.
Leave feedback