Heteronormative Ideal In A Doll's House

In 19th century society, marriage was considered a sacred institution between a man and a woman. A woman was considered her husband’s property. However, the antiquated idea that relationships should contain an aggressive husband dominating over a passive wife perpetuates negative stereotypes that still plague women in modern day society. The interactions between Nora and Torvald in A Doll’s House illustrate how the heteronormative ideal of marriage should be challenged to progress beyond the damaging idea of a patriarch and his simple, submissive wife. A scene from act 3 of the play can be performed to show how marriage requires both parties to be satisfied with their roles and identities within the relationship. The stage is set with simple furniture. Torvald drags Nora through the door on the left. On the left side of the stage there is no furniture or decoration, only the door that leads outside. The lack of decoration symbolizes Nora’s lack of an identity. Mrs. Linde knits on a couch on the right side of the stage, beside Torvald’s study. The study door is surrounded by shelves that are covered with various Italian trinkets from his travels. The excessive decoration implies that Torvald is more confident about his identity than Nora is about her own. In the center of the stage lies a simple fireplace that burns throughout the play. A cuckoo clock hangs above the fireplace. The clock has a shiny, distinct

The set is asymmetrical to illustrate how Torvald keeps the benefits of marriage all to himself. Meanwhile, Nora’s life lacks meaning. Therefore, her frustration with her marriage is connected to the identity that Torvald has assigned to her, as symbolized by the bird cuckoo clock. The lack of communication in their relationship has trapped Nora like a bird in a cage, and she will need to fly away from Torvald to gain