2009 AP Free Response Question
A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself.
In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning.
Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work
and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Use A Doll House to answer/respond/discuss. (You are not writing a whole essay.)
In class, we briefly discussed how Dr. Rank can be symbolic of original sin. I think, now that we know what happens to him and Nora, that symbolism is even stronger. Dr. Rank was a family friend, very close to both Nora and Torvald- he was with them from the beginning of their marriage, much like the secret Nora had kept from her loving husband. If Dr. Rank is truly a symbol of sin, it makes sense for him to have to be out of the picture before Nora can be free. Dr. Rank dying represents the death of the sin Nora had committed against Torvald, the sin that kept her fettered to his doll house for eight long years.
ReplyDeleteCool idea! And - if he is original sin - then the house - the garden of Eden? Krogstad the temptation? What does that say about Ibsen's beliefs about the nature of the Bible story? Is he being critical of what is taught in Judaism and Christianity about original sin and the responsibility of women?
DeleteThe costume ball is a symbol for Torvald and Nora's marriage. Just like one would do with a doll, Torvald dresses Nora up and stares at her all night, admiring her liveliness and beauty. This is exactly what he has done their whole marriage. He has her embroider rather than night, limits her spending, and forbids her to buy any confectionary treats. When they get home and Nora finally undresses from the outfit Torvald dressed her in for the party, she no longer becomes his doll. Her masquerade is over. This is when they finally "talk seriously" and she realizes that she is better off without Torvald, even if it may not seem like it. Although he has provided for her, she worked her ass off to provide for him and I'm sure she'll be able to survive the cold Norwegian winter without him. After all, squirrels are rejuvenated in the springtime.
ReplyDeleteErika! The dress! You are soooo right - It is a costume that has to be mended! A fake persona that is tattered from wear, like their fake marriage that is tattered from wear!!! Torvold dresses her in a wife costume - she even says in the beginning that she wears cheap clothing, good thing no one can tell that it is not the real stuff! Right from the start he is dressing her - and she is faking it!
DeleteIn class we also briefly discussed the significance of the lamp ( or lighting in general). After Rank professes his love for Nora, she asks that the lamp be brought in. But why? As we discussed in class when you shed light on a dollhouse, it becomes more obvious that it is fake. Nora does not believe that Rank truly loves her and therefore, Nora wants everyone to see that by "shedding light on the situation" (yes I am going to use that pun again). Also Act II begins with the Christmas tree stripped and the candles out. This removes light from the stage, the act also opens with the introduction of the dress. As Erika pointed out the dress is a symbol of Nora and Torvald's marriage. At this point in the marriage Nora has not found their marriage to be complete fake yet and therefore there is minimal light on stage at this time. In Act III a lighted lamp sits on the table. It is in this act that Linde and Krogstad admit their love and Nora sees her marriage for what it truly is. The light in this scene is once again to show what is fake and what is not.
ReplyDeleteThe light on the table - great observation - and yes, - it is underlying truth. I am fascinated by the dress. I will talk to Erica's post about it.
DeleteTaking it back to the tarantella, I feel that this is the greatest symbol in the piece. This is a symbol of the play itself. Ever since Nora began lying to her husband she has been dancing wildly to keep their marriage alive so that the event can be behind them much like the instance of the tarantula bite is hoped to be moved on from when the dance is over. The dance grows wilder and wilder as Nora's plans are unraveling until finally it ends. The dance was unsuccessful. The marriage ends as Torvold does not thank her or accept her for actions. It is almost like he criticizes her for being stupid enough to be bitten by a tarantula in the first place. However, you could also see it as Nora dancing for her own life, which is saved. Toward the end of the play she gets especially wild when she simply allows Torvold to see the letter without any more protest. Then she stands up for herself. She grows wilder from the lying to the standing up for herself until finally she saves her own life by leaving. So, was the tarantella successful or not? Both. Death of the marriage, life of Nora.
ReplyDeleteKaitlkyn - the way that you took the symbol and followed it through the play is exactly what needs to be done. I love the idea that she saves Torvold's life, dancing, and then finally her own. EXCELLENT analysis!!!!
DeleteMoney serves a major role as a symbol in "A Doll House". A point of fixation for just about every character in the play, bank notes are what keeps the plot moving and are what defines said characters. For example in Helmer, money is not just about being economically safe and living a comfortable life. Rather to him, currency is about the status that comes along with its possession. Currency is especially held in high regard for his appearance to others-- whether by the higher amounts of money that he obtains through his newfound job position, or by the amounts of money that he uses to flatter Nora and keep himself seen as a supporting role for her. On the flip side, Nora is just as obsessed with cash. She uses cash to save his husband's life, to buy macaroons to rebel against her husband's authority, and even-- contrastingly-- lie. Money is a symbol of stability to her, and even more so, money is a symbol of control in her life. With money, SHE can be the provider (albeit in the background, sending her husband on his way to Italy), and SHE can be the leaver. Money is one tool for all, and-- in many times-- all for one, in "A Doll House".
ReplyDeleteJesse - you have completely followed the money. This is excellent analysis.
DeleteDuring class we discussed the lamp as a symbol of "shedding light onto the situation", but what if there is more to it than simply that? The lamp is representative of the truth, because truth brings light to the problem, and only in the light, or truth can someone's true personality be seen. When Dr. Rank confessed his love to Nora she called for the lamp, which then after she began to explain the truth of the situation. Using the lamp, she brought truth to Dr. Rank's eyes, because truth must be used for others to see reason from their illogical behavior. The lamp had also been present during Nora's performance of the tarantella, this showed the truth of how her situation was against her, she truly was dancing for her life as the originators of the dance once had.
ReplyDeleteMeg - I really love your thoughts on this - I need to look back and see about the lamp during the tarantella - combined with Erica's thoughts on the symbol of the dress, this is quite powerful. Plus, when she leaves, she walks out into the dark night, while the house is still lit.
Delete*Erika ;)
DeleteA huge symbol in "A Doll's House" could also be that of the Christmas Tree. It often is an indicator Nora's secrets, as Ibsen makes a point of including the tree in important, revealing moments throughout the play. First, it enters act I as Nora does, and is included in her first line: "Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it until this evening, when it is dressed..." Already, Nora is trying to conceal things from her family, even if it only begins as an innocent surprise. This indicates early on that she wishes to help and please her family, even if that means keeping things from them, as we discover more fully later when we learn of the lengths to which she went to save Torvald's life and her ignorance as to what her actions legally entail. Next, the tree is a focal point of Nora and Torvald's conversation in act I, especially when Torvald says, "Keep your little Christmas secrets to yourself, my darling. They will all be revealed tonight when the Christmas Tree is lit, no doubt." This is a huge piece of foreshadowing that symbolically uses both the tree and the light imagery that we've talked about, for when the tree becomes lit later on, so, too, do Nora's secrets. Moving on to acts II and III, the Tree is described as "remaining in the corner by the piano, stripped of its ornaments and with burnt-down candle-ends on its disheveled branches." Since acts II and III are when Nora's life really unravels because of her lies, the Tree remains a good measuring point of her strife--in other words, her secrets are becoming laid bare to Krogstad, to Mrs. Linde, and finally to Torvald just as the tree is stripped of its falsities and decorations. By the time the play ends and Nora takes responsibility for herself, secrets and all, she is as free of illusion as the Tree is. Essentially, the Christmas Tree reflects Nora's progression from falsehood to truth.
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