In the opening Scene of Henrik Ibsen’s play, ‘A Doll’s House,’ the relationship between Nora, and her husband Torvald Helmer is explored through the use of dialogue and stage directions. Nora is deceitful to her husband. He questions her 4 times about what she has done and every time, her reply starts with “no,” then adds more defensively, promising that she has done nothing wrong. She does this while facing him eye to eye, as he orders her to “look straight at me.” This questioning sounds like a parent questioning their child, ‘wagging his finger,’ and giving her many opportunities to admit to having done something wrong. Nora believes that Torvold wants her to act like a child and is submissive to him. In return, she acts like a good wife, “not [thinking] of going against” his wishes. These questions and answers appear to be a regular routine, that Nora has either “paid a visit to the confectioner’s” or has “been nibbling sweets,” on other occasions or Helmer has suspected that she had done so. By continuing to be dishonest to her husband, she aims to please him, so that he will continue to give her money, and leave her with the freedom which she has. Despite being victimised by Helmer interrogating her and calling her by pet names, not her given name, she is deceitful to him.
Pet names ‘v’ first name
Often use of the possesive pronoun 'my' saying that she belongs to him. He owns her like he would an object. She likes this though, untill she 'sees.' 'Little,' is also degrading, she is smaller than him, he must protect her. He doesn't understand that calling her these her names robbs her of her rights to make herself her own indervidual. Helmer has seen husbands acting this way throughout his life due to his upbringing, he doesn't know any different. A lark, is often a caged bird, although it is actually a wild bird known for it's song, birds wish to be free as she eventually wants to be, but she is caged by society, and Helmer.
He does genuinely care for her, but he dehunamizes her through the use of the pet names as he usually refers to her as a small animal.
He does genuinely care for her, but he dehunamizes her through the use of the pet names as he usually refers to her as a small animal.
Diminutives / Terms of endearment / Pet names
They are all condescending, “little,” is often part of the name. She is a little chick in a nest that needs looking after.
Miss sweet tooth: Sweet to do with sugar
My sweet little skylark: Sweet to do with feminine beauty
My little skylark: He finds her beautiful
My little lark twitting:
My darling:
My little spendthrift: Unrestrained with money
Little featherhead: not inteligent
My little squirrel bustling about: She is industrious, hard working
An odd little soul:
My dear little Nora:
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