A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen is a groundbreaking play first performed in 1879, often regarded as one of the most significant works in modern drama. The play centers on Nora Helmer, a seemingly typical middle-class housewife, who gradually comes to question the societal and marital expectations imposed upon her.
At the beginning of the play, Nora appears to be living an ideal domestic life with her husband, Torvald Helmer, and their children. However, as the story unfolds, it is revealed that Nora has secretly borrowed money to save Torvald's life by financing a medical trip. She has forged her father’s signature on the loan documents, and the looming threat of this being exposed creates growing tension in the play.
As her secret begins to unravel, Nora confronts the limits of her marriage, which she realizes is built on inequality and control. Torvald views Nora as a fragile, childlike figure—essentially treating her as his "doll," dependent on him for guidance and validation. When faced with the crisis of her forgery, rather than showing support, Torvald reacts selfishly, concerned more about his own reputation than her sacrifice. This disillusionment leads Nora to a dramatic realization about her own identity, and she makes a bold decision to leave her husband and children in search of independence and self-understanding.
A Doll's House is celebrated for its critique of gender roles, societal expectations, and the dynamics of power in relationships. Ibsen’s portrayal of Nora’s awakening to her own autonomy and the play’s controversial ending sparked widespread debate, making it a landmark in both feminist literature and modern realist drama.