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Emily Hutchins
Dr. Sarah Stafford Sims
ENG 210, Literary Studies
January 9, 2017
The Secrets of Christmas
Henrik Ibsen was born in Seik, Norway. However, later in his life he moved to both Italy
and Germany where he wrote many of his dramas (880-881). Through his realistic social plays
Ibsen rebelled against the norms of society. A Doll’s House is usually seen as the first sign of the
woman’s movement. In fact it is known as the door slam heard around the world. Nora
symbolizes the women’s liberation (Fischer-Lichte, Gronau & Weiler, 2011). The play explores
the struggles Nora encounters living as the traditional wife and mother during the end of the 19th
century. Throughout the play, Ibsen uses symbolisms to convey silent matters that are never
brought to the surface. For instance, A Doll’s House takes place during Christmas. Christmas is
not merely used by Ibsen as a time of year for the play. Ibsen uses Christmastime as a way to
convey Nora and Torvalds’s marriage, Nora’s psychological development in the play, and to
foreshadow what is to come.
Proper use of setting enables one to get an impression of the characters’ personalities of a
literary piece (Blythe and Sweet). A Doll’s House takes place during the joyous festivities of
Christmas. Ibsen is using Christmastime to convey how Nora and Torvald truly are. When one
thinks of Christmas, images of warm homes, happy families, joyful carolers, and bright
Christmas trees typically come to mind. In fact, Christmas is usually known as the most peaceful
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time of the year. However, A Doll’s House gives a conflicting scene. “Do you think I don’t know
how much you need for the house at Christmastime” (883). To Torvald, Christmas is merely a
day which demands more money. Already, one has the sense that money is a major issue in Nora
and Torvald’s marriage. “Hide the Christmas tree carefully, Helene. Make sure the children don’t
see it till it’s decorated this evening” (882). Here, the Christmas tree symbolizes Nora and
Torvald’s marriage. Just as Nora wants the house to appear perfect for the children, Torvald also
wants his marriage with Nora to appear perfect to society. At the beginning of the play, Nora
feels the same way as Torvald. She too wants their relationship to seem perfect, even if she must
keep secrets and go behind her own husband’s back. Furthermore, the Christmas tree symbolizes
the role Nora has in the marriage. She is merely seen as a something to admire or to play with,
like a doll. “You know, Nora, I’ve often wished you were in some kind of serious danger, so that
