Henrik Isbens A Dolls House Essay -- A Dolls House Essays

A Closer look at Ibsens A gentlewomans theatre of operationsEverything is relative or so the flippant motto of the post-modern generation would say. interestingly enough, this aphorism is brilliantly applied by Henrik Ibsen to enhance his characters in the acclaimed drama, A Dolls House. Often, we see things relative to their surroundings, and as the contrast between objects heighten, each becomes more visible. Within the first act of A Dolls House, we encounter Christine Linde, a childhood friend of the main character, Nora, and Dr. Rank, a friend of the family. Ibsen paints distinctive pictures of both Christine and Rank as individuals, and, having established them with the auditory modality uses them as contrasts, or foils, for Nora and Torvald. Ibsen develops both Christine and Dr. Rank as individual characters and monumental elements of the plot. Christine, left destitute by an unloving marriage, reflects a sense of endurance. She is enduring, wizened, and peeping fo r a new beginning. Whereas Nora is girlish and petty, Christine is wise and observant. Commenting on Krogstad Still I think it is the sick who need taking care of (p. 17) she shows her heartfelt partake for others. Christine is discerning, intelligent, and kind. Her amour-propre is based entirely on interactions with other people. Her livelihood is derived from being useful to others. Dr. Rank is jovial, but insightful, kind, but tainted. While at first glimpse he is a family friend, he is also in love with N...