Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House Essay -- Henrik Ibsen Dolls House Essay

Henrik Ibsens A Dolls HouseIbsenss b tabu is a modern tragedy which functions on two levels,questioning the established loving order of the day and presenting thedeath of a marriage. Both these events create a great deal of tension,and combined with the language and actions utilise by the characters,make the play very intense.The main cause of dramatic tension throughout the play is the way thatthe difference between the real nature of the characters and the rolesthey be assigned by society is presented. This difference isdemonstrated by the disparity in the action of the characters incomparison with their lexical choice.The initial impression given by the opening scene is of a happytraditional household. The first element of dramatic tension in theplay is introduced whenNora demonstrates this inconsistency when she lies to Helmer abouthaving eaten macaroons,Helmer Has my little sweet-tooth been indulging herself in towntoday, by any chance?Nora No, how can you think such a thin g?It displays the way in which Nora is not always entirely just withHelmer in order to maintain the inferior and obeying image he has ofher. It indicates that every(prenominal) is not as it first appears, creatingdramatic irony and tension, as the audience are aware of the truth,yet Helmer is not.The immediate declarative used, No followed by the interrogative Howcan you think such a thing displays that Nora is firstly attemptingto remove all doubt of her innocence, and then switch the focus of theconversation to Helmer to distract from the fact that it is she who islying.Language is used to create dramatic tension as the different registersused by the characters in different situa... ...s something is going to happen or its near theendUnexpected turn when Mrs Linde says Helmer must know the truth NoraHINTS AT plotHelmer points out Noras vulnerability - what would happen if he died.When Helmer condemns Krogstad - dramatic irony because audience knowNora has done the same as him. WAITINGNora almost telling Helmer moreover delayed as Dr rank drops in and givesblack crosses so she has to wait longer.Helmer goes to study to read the letter - audience and Nora arewaiting to see what happens when he returns.DESPERATIONKrogstad warns Nora against suicide - shows how desperate she must be.Tarantella dance displays her desperation physically.IMAGERYThe Christmas tree reflects Noras state (e.g. bright and colourful atthe beginning, candles burnt out nearer the end)Fancy dress represents Nora wearing her false self