Christmas Tree In A Doll's House

1546 Words7 Pages

During the course of me reading, “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, I was able to see how Ibsen used extended self through symbolism, I was able to deduce that the Christmas tree was an extended self-representation of Nora throughout the play. Throughout the text it was shown that Ibsen seemed to have described the tree thoroughly before every entrance into the play. He would explain the appearance, and the duration of the tree as well as subside a few common characteristics of Nora during that portion of the play. Within the duration of reading the text, along with the internal assessment of the text as a whole and the symbols throughout the play, there were many instances that the characteristics showed that the tree was an extended self-representation of Nora, and it helped the reader’s understand the connections. Throughout many moments in the book it described the tree in various forms whether it was being dolled up or withering away, and also where Ibsen described the emotional and mental state Nora was in, thus reflecting the tree. The description of Nora while still understanding the state of the tree helped piece …show more content…

Considering the light in representation of the truth along with the dark in representation of hiding truth itself, the money wrapped in gilt paper in representation of “false riches” and hopes for more or the falsities and troubles that followed due to the “guilt” she held due to “money”. Beyond all other representations, there is one that stands out from them all, the Christmas tree in representation of Nora. In the play, the Christmas tree is in representation of Nora’s state of mind as well as the unraveling of her lies as the tree wears down throughout the play as a whole. The audience can also see Nora as a representation of the tree, as the way Torvald treats her and represents her throughout the