2005 AP Free Response Question:
In Kate Chopin's The Awakening (1899), protagonist Edna Pontellier was said to have "that outward existence which conforms, that inward life which questions." In a novel or play that you have studied, identify a character who conforms outwardly, while questioning inwardly. Then write an essay in which you analyze how this tension between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.
Use A Doll House to respond to and discuss this. You do not need to write an essay - just add to the discussion.
The same can definitely be said about Nora. At the beginning of the play, all I saw was a simpleminded wife who cared solely about making her husband happy. Looking back, it is obvious her reason for leaving had been well thought over. Nora had spent her entire life being treated as a doll; first by her father, then by her husband.She was told what to wear, what to like and dislike, how act in certain situations, and even what to eat. There is no way she just decided to leave once she had solid proof Torvald did not love her. An idea that strong had to take years of thinking over. I believe her lies support this theory. Even with something as small as eating macaroons, Nora had to lie to Torvald. That is not to say she did not eat them, she did what she wanted, Nora just did not want Torvald to know as that would go against her outward existence of conforming. Nora was so good at concealing her inward life of questions, that she even had the readers fooled.
ReplyDeleteDo we as humans have a right to a secret inward life - even in a marriage?
DeleteThis question clearly applies to Nora, however I believe that this "outward conformity" and "inward questioning" can also be applied to Dr. Rank. In public, Rank plays the descent friend, socializing with both Nora and Torvald. However, Ranks's impending death makes him question his life decisions and what he should do with his remaining days. This motivation is what ultimately drives him to confess his love for Nora. I think many of the characters in this play are motivated by their need to keep public appearances and their internal desires. For example. Ms. Linde and Krogstad confessing their love to each otheronce they are along, but acting like the barely know each other in front of Nora.
ReplyDeleteTorvold, too! He is conformity!! Except when he wants his little wife for sex and to take care of him, and to control. Then he is willing to LIE!!!
DeleteOn the outside, Nora definitely conformed to society as she acted as a perfect little doll in front of her husband or others. She has always been a doll, for her father and her husband. However, she clearly questioned society on the inside. Had she not, she never would have lied to her husband or forged a signature or secretly worked for money. She would have done everything as Torvold wished like a nice little manipulated doll. All of her inner questioning collects until she finally explodes and gains the courage to put an end to the playing.
ReplyDeleteWho else can one choose? This prompt is perfectly made to describe Nora in "A Doll House". The ostensibly loyal and all-ears wife of Helmer is soft on the outside, but unfadingly hard and defiant on the inside. In turn, this juxtaposition makes for a violent clash of emotions, self-questioning, and need for action. Nora is constantly bombarded with condescension. Helmer shelters her as a child wife; Mrs. Linde engages with her in conversation riddled with pretentious undertones; and any dialogue between Nora and Krogstad is a cut-throat struggle for her submission by the aggressive lawyer. As a result, Nora bubbles with resent towards all these forces of suppression.
ReplyDeleteIn the context of the play, this conflict between outward conformity and inward doubt makes for a defining aspect. The challenge finds its highlight in the struggle for humanist ideals. For those suppressed, the inability to fight back against external restraints in "A Doll House" is all too familiar. When Nora finally breaks free of her shackles, those under suppression celebrate in just as much joy and understanding, but also in respect too-- to combat a repressing force means that one takes a willingness to be brave, to take a gamble, and to stand up in anticipation to be put back down twice as hard.
I agree that this prompt suits Nora the best out of all of the characters in "A Doll's House"; after all, like everyone else has said, she outwardly must conform to the idea of being a wife and a "doll" for Torvald in order to ensure her survival, but she also quietly questions this doll's life by eating macaroons and keeping her forgery and debt a secret (the former obviously being the graver sin ;)) However, I found it interesting when Ms. Feole brought up Torvald in connection to this prompt. He also outwardly conforms to image and standing, caring mainly about his powerful bank position and parading his little wife around (most notably at the party where he makes Nora dance the Tarantella). However, although it's hard to imagine Torvald as inwardly questioning this life he leads, perhaps that "questioning" is more of his slightly-redeeming affection for Nora. Yes, Torvald is a pretty big jerk, but his controlling personality isn't borne out of malice for Nora, but rather the times in which he lived. In a way, then, his love for Nora is the question mark at the end of every insult that I can throw at him, because in the end, he at least wonders if her leaving is perhaps "the most wonderful thing of all?" In other words, he lets her go, all the while wondering if, perhaps, Nora being free is indeed for the best. Basically, Torvald leads an outward life of high standing and principle, but in the end is left with an inward questioning of such principle as his wife leaves.
ReplyDelete