THE SYMBOLIC SIGNAFICANCE OF OBJECTS IN “A DOLL’S HOUSE” Hush…… I can hear voices…
Macaroons: nora ! Nora! Please don’t leave me and go… why did she leave me half eaten? what is going to happen of me now!! Torvald detests me, he was always against Nora eating me………why did it have to be me?
Dress: everybody adored and praised Nora when she wore me… but alas! What was the use of all my beauty and finery when in the end she left me all alone. Why was I given so much importance if she was to choose her ordinary clothes over me at the end?
Letter: exactly! Were we just ornaments to adorn the surroundings?
Christmas tree: hmm… now even im wondering if my purpose in the house was of mere decoration. Even in this festive season will I
On the surface level, the play does not show these nuances but it is only when the reader delves deeper does he understand the immense symbolism of it all.
Nora however is hardly innocent. This can be seen when Nora lies about the packet of macaroons twice, once to Helmer and the second time to Dr Rank. The macaroons denote Nora's dishonesty and deception, which also alludes to her act of committing objectionable, underhanded deeds. Nora resorts to lying about eating the macaroons because she feels she is at fault for disobeying her husband. This small incident also shows the strains in their marital relationship. Also the macaroons show us the first glimpse of Nora’s desire for independence.
To an extent the Christmas tree with which the play begins is a representation of Nora’s character. Just like the tree is an object of decoration possessed by somebody in order to beautify a place similarly Nora was the prized possession of Helmer. She was no less than a mere object, a show piece meant to be admired and praised. It is interesting to note that Nora orders the nurse, "Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it till this evening, when it is dressed”, she similarly tells Torvald, "Yes, nobody is to have a chance to of admiring me in my dress until tomorrow”. These lines show the similarity between Nora and the Christmas tree. Both are not revealed until each look