Act III of A Doll's House

Act III of A Doll's House showed the character of Nora coming into self realization. Nora realizes that all her life she was been treated like a child, by her father and husband. Nora sees that she is immature and childlike and knows that she needs to grow up before she can ever raise her children and take on responsibilities. Nora's strong ability to leave her husband Torvald as he pleads for her to stay, shows a sense of new found independence and control over her life for the first time. When Nora tells Torvald that her duty to herself is just as sacred as her duty as a wife and mother shows a self awakening for Nora. Nora starts to see herself as a human being with her own ambitions, beliefs, and thoughts that she needs to explore. The end of the play when Nora closes the door, represents Nora's awareness about the true reality of her life. Nora has been treated like a doll her own life , Nora has been her husband's play toy like many women during her time. Women back then were treated like dolls, they were objectified and not treated as adults. Instead, women like Nora were viewed as possessions to protect and be looked after by a patriarchal society. As a women, Nora had no choice but to leave her husband and children behind in order to find herself and gain a sense of independence and individuality as a women.