A Doll’s House Essay

A Doll’s House was written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879. A Doll’s House is not only one of Henrik Ibsen’s most famous plays, but it has also been seen as the starting point for realist drama. A Doll’s House, along with Brand and Peer Gynt, are often considered to be the first modern plays written in Europe. A Doll’s House is a play about power, money, guilt, duty, and family relationships.

A Doll’s House starts with Mrs. Nora Helmer who decides that her family should have an evening at home to celebrate Torvald’s birthday even though there are various outside activities planned earlier on that day. After getting all the children to bed Nora makes some coffee and brings some cake for herself and Torvald. She notices that the maid is not coming in to clear the table, despite several requests. As it turns out, Aune (the maid) is sick and unable to come to work. Nora remarks on Aune’s “poor condition”, saying she will take up Aune’s duties while Aune is ill.

Eventually, Nora forgets about Aune entirely as she becomes engrossed in her own thoughts of how their life together has become stifling; all play rather than essential sustenance of family life had ceased, with Torvald preferring to read newspapers alone in his study each evening rather than engaging with his wife or children. Nora decides she must break free from the chains that bind her. Aune, who turns up at one point is too sick to help with Nora’s children. Nora promises Aune that she will hire a nurse for Aune once Aune has recovered from her illness.

Aune leaves and Torvald enters. He asks about Aune, not believing that an important event would prevent Aune from attending work. The two converse until Nora suggests that they go out to visit Mrs. Linde (who had earlier announced temporary departure due to poor health). Torvald becomes irate over this suggestion as he does not have time to waste on “unimportant” people currently immersed in newspaper reading. He complains of the dinner being cold, further displaying his ignorance of his family and Aune’s conditions.

Nora sees past Torvald’s narrow-mindedness and decides to sit down and play the piano without his permission. He becomes even angrier because Nora has lost track of time while playing; instead of taking up Aune’s duties, she should be finishing the housework such as what Aune would typically do. Nora sees that her husband is quite ignorant in not understanding why Aune is unable to come into work, yet he will not allow Aune a few days’ leave when needed. She tells Torvald about Aune’s illness, but he does not believe it to be a serious affliction.

Not wanting to argue with him so late night, Nora decides to postpone Aune’s endeavor to find a nurse for Aune. The play moves to the following morning, as Nora narrates her daily routine (how she is to be “the perfect wife”). She is aware of Torvald’s explicit caresses every time he returns home from work, but his attentions are merely symbolic gestures signifying their financial arrangement. Aune enters, having recovered from her illness enough to return to work.

Aune relates that one of Mrs. Linde’s family friends has offered Aune a better-paid position in another town. Aune asks Nora whether she believes she is doing the right thing by leaving Nora in need of help with the children and housework. Aune also asks Nora if Torvald will speak to Aune about her departure. Aune requests that Nora not mention Aune’s leaving to Torvald, because Aune does not want him to feel obliged to give Aune a reference. Aune also discloses why she has taken the position, stating she is leaving for “personal reasons”.

Mrs. Linde enters, stating that an old friend of hers who works as a lawyer in Rome has offered her well-paid work caring for his motherless daughter. She requests permission from both Aune and Nora before accepting the job offer. The two are supportive; they will need help while Aune is gone. Mrs. Linde remarks on how overjoyed she is by the prospect of finding employment once again after such a long period of unemployment. Aune also shares her plans of finding a nurse for Aune, but Nora is reluctant to share the news, Aune, leaving with Torvald because he will be disappointed at Aune’s departure.

Aune warns Mrs. Linde that she must not mention Aune’s departure to Torvald either. Aune leaves and Mrs. Linde takes over Aune’s duties in the kitchen while Nora continues playing the piano. Torvald once again returns from work, ruining his routine when he finds no one in the sitting room waiting for him. He calls out “Nora”, and Nora responds by going into her bedroom where Torvald sits on a chair reading a newspaper. She tells him about Aune having left the house. Aune, Nora points out, will definitely provide a reference for Aune.

Torvald begins to worry about Aune leaving, citing that Aune’s work has been outstanding and she would be an exceptional nurse even to his children. He accuses Nora of not being considerate enough towards Aune in allowing Aune the choice of whether or not to stay. Torvald proceeds with his newspaper reading while Nora returns to playing the piano; he comments on how well-played the piece is and praises her talent at playing it so excellently together with such speed and agility. Torvald remarks that Nora never ceases to amaze him (“”Det star mig sa n? som for/Og det driver mig saa forf? rdeligt til vanvidd””).

Aune returns from the kitchen, where Aune has been packing her belongings. Aune asks Nora if she could have a few moments alone with Torvald to say goodbye. A few minutes later Aune asks Mrs. Linde to take a peek at Aune and Torvald to see whether they are finished talking yet because Aune cannot hear anything from Aune’s bedroom. Mrs. Linde enters first before calling for Aune; she tells Aune that it would be best for Aune not to come inside as it appears that there is trouble between them.

Aune stays anyway, deciding that enough time should have passed by now as Mrs. Linde re-enters Aune’s room. Aune enters the bedroom to see Torvald embracing Aune; they are back in love. Aune overhears that Torvald has no idea Aune is leaving until Aune hears Torvald describe how it feels like Aune has left him all alone with three children—he knows exactly how much Aune means to Nora (and vice versa); he wants Aune to stay, even though he can offer her very little except for his gratitude and admiration of Aune’s work.

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A Doll’s House Essay Topics & Samples

In this particular section, you can find excellent topics for A Doll’s House essay. You might be a tired student who is out of ideas. You may be a journalist who wants to write a piece about this great play. No matter what brought you here. Custom-Writing.org experts have created this guide to provide enough inspiration for everyone to keep on going!

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Here, we put together the best A Doll’s House essay questions and topics supplemented with short prompts that give extra details. As a bonus, there are essay samples! Moreover, they are all related to the materials discussed in other parts of this guide, so don’t forget to check them out as well!

  • 🏆 Essay Questions
  • 💡 Essay Topics with Prompts
  • 📝 Essay Examples

🏆 A Doll’s House Essay Questions

  • A Doll’s House: what does the play’s title mean?
  • What do macaroons symbolize in A Doll’s House?
  • Is a Doll’s House a feminist play?
  • Why was Ibsen forced to create an alternate ending for A Doll’s House?
  • How does Nora Helmer change by the end of the play?
  • What is Nora’s secret in A Doll’s House?
  • Who is the antagonist in A Doll’s House?
  • What genre is A Doll’s House?
  • How did Ibsen use dramatic irony in A Doll’s House?
  • What is the theme of A Doll’s House?
  • Nora and Torvald: what is wrong with their relationship?
  • In what ways does Dr. Rank provide a contrast to Torvald?
  • What is the most wonderful thing that Nora Helmer talks about in the play’s last scene?

💡 A Doll’s House Essay Topics with Prompts

  • Describe your opinion about how realistic the play is. Usually, Ibsen’s play is viewed as realistic . However, there might be some contradictions. For example, all the literary devices the author uses. Metaphors and plenty of symbols don’t precisely align with realism in A Doll’s House . Consider both points of view and write an argumentative essay. 
  • How are gender roles in A Doll’s House represented? One of the central themes in the play is gender roles and feminism . Nora’s behavior is strongly identified with those issues as she tries to find the way out of her dependency. It wasn’t surprising back then for a woman to be an obedient, quiet wife who only takes care of the house and kids. Ibsen opens up this theme through Nora’s conflict. 
  • Write A Doll’s House character analysis. It is a rather generic theme, so you should think it through and pick one or more characters you wish to analyze. One of the options is to make a comparative analysis of two characters of your choice. If you are not sure where to begin, check out our complete guide to this play! 
  • Discuss the purpose and effects of dramatic irony in A Doll’s House . Ibsen uses irony in his play a few times. Even though it doesn’t really fit the definition of drama, which is A Doll’s House genre, it adds s excellent impression. Find the most prominent examples of this literary device and try to discuss why the author put it there. 
  • The theme of marriage and love in the play. It would be an argumentative essay on love in A Doll’s House . Ibsen highlights this theme as one of the most important. You may consider adding a few paragraphs about how characters other than Nora perceive love and the institution of marriage. 
  • What are the most prominent symbols in the play? Every literary piece has at least one symbol presented in it. Ibsen’s play is not an exception. The symbolism in A Doll’s House is tightly related to the central themes such as freedom and gender roles. Moreover, you should discuss their roles in the play and relevance back then. 
  • Mrs. Linde’s influence on Nora’s personal development. It seems like everything starts escalating with Mrs. Linde’s arrival in A Doll’s House . However, you would need to consider some indirect influence of that event. It appears that their first conversation might have brought some insights for Nora and promoted her transformation as well as self-realization. 
  • Compare and contrast A Doll’s House characters: Nora and Krogstad. This A Doll’s House essay should be focused mainly on the similarities between these two characters. They have both committed a crime to save their loved ones. Therefore, you need to consider how Nora and Krogstad feel about social rules and why they were so desperate. 
  • The theme of freedom in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House . Look into how the play’s characters use the word “freedom.” In this writing, you should focus on the differences between perspectives introduced by various characters. Moreover, it might be a good idea to mention the causes of such mindsets. For example, society at the time was quite influential. 
  • Discuss Torvald’s point of view on his life. As the play progresses, the audience might notice that Torvald’s perspective is somehow too idealistic. Even though A Doll’s House is supposed to be realistic, this character prefers imaginary life to the real world. Here, you need to find the moments when such Torvald’s traits are the most obvious and analyze them. 
  • When Mrs. Linde calls Nora a “child,” how does it reflect the truth? In one of the scenes, Mrs. Linde comments on Nora’s irresponsible and inappropriate behavior by calling her a “child.” However, no one truly knows Nora’s natural character and struggles. How fair is it to make such judgments?  
  • Look into an inheritance in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. How does the author describe the traits that characters inherit from their relatives? For example, Dr. Rank blames his father for having a disease that slowly kills him. Meanwhile, Nora’s relationship with her father was complicated to the point that even Torvald comments on it. 
  • What is the meaning behind the title of Ibsen’s play? A Doll’s House might as well hide a metaphor behind its title. Torvald often calls his wife his “doll.” How does it reflect their relationship? What is the correlation of the title to the central theme of gender roles? Nora doesn’t seem to feel free in her house and is getting more and more tired of those plays. 
  • How feminist is A Doll’s House ? Ibsen highlights gender roles’ theme in the play and reflects on the state of this issue back then. Even though the rise of feminism would happen years after its publication, the author had already introduced a character representing the movement . Discuss Nora’s liberation from her husband in this essay. 
  • Analyze the progression of Nora’s character in the play. Nora is not the only dynamic character in A Doll’s House . However, she is one who undergoes the most change. She goes from pretending to be an obedient and happy housewife to a woman who is ready to leave her family to seek independence and her true self. 
  • Write about the theme is self-sacrifice in Ibsen’s play. The central themes of A Doll’s House are gender roles, freedom, and marriage. However, there are some less popularly analyzed issues that Ibsen highlights. For instance, self-sacrifice appears to be a shared aspect amongst some characters. All female characters have experienced it, and some men in the play have gone through it as well. 

📝 A Doll’s House Essay Examples

  • Thorvald and Nora in A Doll’s House: Character Analysis
  • Theme and Conflict in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • The Role of Women in A Doll’s House
  • Historical Context of A Doll’s House
  • Characters in A Doll’s House: Analysis
  • Ibsen’s A Doll’s House: Critical Analysis
  • Symbolism in A Doll’s House
  • Nora in A Doll’s House: Character Analysis
  • Setting in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
  • The Role of Women in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
  • “Ghosts” vs. “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • Nora in “The Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen

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A Doll’s House Summary

A Doll’s House Summary

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A Doll's House

By henrik ibsen.

  • A Doll's House Summary

A Doll’s House traces the awakening of Nora Helmer from her previously unexamined life of domestic, wifely comfort. Having been ruled her whole life by either her father or her husband Torvald , Nora finally comes to question the foundation of everything she has believed in once her marriage is put to the test. Having borrowed money from a man of ill-repute named Krogstad by forging her father’s signature, she was able to pay for a trip to Italy to save her sick husband’s life (he was unaware of the loan, believing that the money came from Nora’s father). Since then, she has had to contrive ways to pay back her loan, growing particularly concerned with money and the ways of a complex world.

When the play opens, it is Christmas Eve, and we find that Torvald has just been promoted to manager of the bank, where he will receive a huge wage and be extremely powerful. Nora is thrilled because she thinks that she will finally be able to pay off the loan and be rid of it. Her happiness, however, is marred when an angry Krogstad approaches her. He has just learned that his position at the bank has been promised to Mrs. Linde , an old school friend of Nora’s who has recently arrived in town in search of work, and he tells Nora that he will reveal her secret if she does not persuade her husband to let him keep his position. Nora tries to convince Torvald to preserve Krogstad’s job, using all of her feminine tricks (which he encourages), but she is unsuccessful. Torvald tells her that Krogstad’s morally corrupt nature is physically repulsive to him and impossible to work with. Nora becomes very worried.

The next day, Nora is nervously moving about the house, afraid that Krogstad will appear at any minute. Her anxiety is reduced by being preoccupied with the preparations for a big fancy-dress party that will take place the next night in a neighbor’s apartment. When Torvald returns from the bank, she again takes up her pleas on behalf of Krogstad. This time, Torvald not only refuses but also sends off the notice of termination that he has already prepared for Krogstad, reassuring a scared Nora that he will take upon himself any bad things that befall them as a result. Nora is extremely moved by this comment. She begins to consider the possibility of this episode transforming their marriage for the better—as well as the possibility of suicide.

Meanwhile, she converses and flirts with a willing Dr. Rank . Learning that he is rapidly dying, she has an intimate conversation with him that culminates in him professing his love for her just before she is able to ask him for financial help. His words stop her, and she steers the conversation back to safer ground. Their talk is interrupted by the announcement of Krogstad’s presence. Nora asks Dr. Rank to leave and has Krogstad brought in.

Krogstad tells her that he has had a change of heart and that, though he will keep the bond, he will not reveal her to the public. Instead, he wants to give Torvald a note explaining the matter so that Torvald will be pressed to help Krogstad rehabilitate himself and keep his position at the bank. Nora protests against Torvald’s involvement, but Krogstad drops the letter in Torvald’s letterbox anyway, much to Nora’s horror. Nora exclaims aloud that she and Torvald are lost. Still, she tries to use her charms to prevent Torvald from reading the letter, luring him away from business by begging him to help her with the tarantella for the next night’s party. He agrees to put off business until the next day. The letter remains in the letterbox.

The next night, before Torvald and Nora return from the ball, Mrs. Linde and Krogstad, who are old lovers, reunite in the Helmers’ living room. Mrs. Linde asks to take care of Krogstad and his children and to help him become the better man that he knows he is capable of becoming. The Helmers return from the ball as Mrs. Linde is leaving (Krogstad has already left), with Torvald nearly dragging Nora into the room. Alone, Torvald tells Nora how much he desires her but is interrupted by Dr. Rank. The doctor, unbeknownst to Torvald, has come by to say his final farewells, as he covertly explains to Nora. After he leaves, Nora is able to deter Torvald from pursuing her any more by reminding him of the ugliness of death that has just come between them, Nora having revealed Dr. Rank’s secret. Seeing that Torvald finally has collected his letters, she resigns herself to committing suicide.

As she is leaving, though, Torvald stops her. He has just read Krogstad’s letter and is enraged by its contents. He accuses Nora of ruining his life. He essentially tells her that he plans on forsaking her, contrary to his earlier claim that he would take on everything himself. During his tirade, he is interrupted by the maid bearing another note from Krogstad and addressed to Nora. Torvald reads it and becomes overjoyed. Krogstad has had a change of heart and has sent back the bond. Torvald quickly tells Nora that it is all over after all: he has forgiven her, and her pathetic attempt to help him has only made her more endearing than ever.

Nora, seeing Torvald’s true character for the first time, sits her husband down to tell him that she is leaving him. After he protests, she explains that he does not love her—and, after tonight, she does not love him. She tells him that, given the suffocating life she has led until now, she owes it to herself to become fully independent and to explore her own character and the world for herself. As she leaves, she reveals to Torvald that she hopes that a “miracle” might occur: that one day, they might be able to unite in real wedlock. The play ends with the door slamming on her way out.

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A Doll’s House Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for A Doll’s House is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Explain why krogstad says he would ask for his letter back

The music of the tarantella is heard above, and Mrs. Linde urges Krogstad to be quick. Krogstad now grows suspicious, questioning whether she is saying all of this simply on behalf of Nora. She denies it, and he then offers to take the letter...

Meaning of Excesses with regards to A Doll's House

What act are you referring to?

Mrs Linde States "i want to be a mother to someone, and your children need amother. We two need each other. Nils, I have faith in your real character I can dare anything together with you ?Based on this reading What does she want from life?

Ultimately, Mrs. Linde decides that she will only be happy if she goes off with Krogstad. Her older, weary viewpoint provides a foil to Nora's youthful impetuousness. She perhaps also symbolizes a hollowness in the matriarchal role. Her...

Study Guide for A Doll’s House

A Doll's House study guide contains a biography of Henrik Ibsen, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

  • About A Doll's House
  • Character List

Essays for A Doll’s House

A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House.

  • Influence of Antigone on A Doll's House
  • Burning Down the Doll House
  • Ibsen's Portrayal of Women
  • Dressed to Impress: The Role of the Dress in Cinderella and A Doll's House
  • A Doll's House: Revolution From Within

Lesson Plan for A Doll’s House

  • About the Author
  • Study Objectives
  • Common Core Standards
  • Introduction to A Doll's House
  • Relationship to Other Books
  • Bringing in Technology
  • Notes to the Teacher
  • Related Links
  • A Doll's House Bibliography

E-Text of A Doll’s House

A Doll's House e-text contains the full text of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen.

  • DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Wikipedia Entries for A Doll’s House

  • Introduction
  • List of characters
  • Composition and publication
  • Production history

essay in a doll's house

A Dolls House - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

A Doll’s House is a play by Henrik Ibsen that delves into themes of feminism, marriage, and individual autonomy as it follows the protagonist Nora Helmer’s journey towards self-realization. Essays on “A Doll’s House” might explore the characterization, the social critique presented in the play, or the reception and impact of the play within the context of 19th-century societal norms. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to A Doll’s House you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

How the Roles of Women and Men were Portrayed in “A Doll’s House”

Ibsen shows in this play how women's roles were shown at the time . he describes what he believed about how the roles of women and men were portrayed through this play. Ibsen showed the role of women very clearly, Nora behaved like most women in this time period: taking orders from her husband, letting him degrade her and using her femininity to get what wanted. Mrs Linde and Anne marie made huge sacrifices so they can gain security and […]

Deception in a Doll’s House

Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House has been considered as a perfect example of gender inequality, even though the author himself stated that he ""must disclaim the honor of having consciously worked for the women's rights movement"" and that his ""task has been the description of humanity"" (Templeton). Though, the storyline and the use of deception within the play through characterization and symbolism are some of the reasons for the play's popularity. The Society in a Doll's House is Full of […]

Torvald Helmer Character Analysis in a Doll’s House

In the play "A Doll's House" written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879, Torvald, Nora's husband, is lied to when his wife goes behind his back and borrows two-hundred and fifty pounds from a man named Krogstad, which in order to get had to forge her father's signature. When Torvald is given a promotion, Krogstad who also works at the bank is in danger of getting terminated due to the fact that he lied about forging a signature. As soon as […]

Feminism in a Doll’s House

Feminism is the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of being politically, socially, and economically equal to men. In the nineteenth century, women were viewed as secondary to men and had little rights. In 1890, married women were given the right to control their own wealth, and in 1882 women finally were given access to higher education. During the time that Ibsen wrote A Doll House, he lived in a patriarchal society which we can tell as we read […]

Femininism and Masculinity in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

For a considerable amount of the literature in English language, sex and gender are shown to be equitable with certain human traits. Strength is defined as a predominantly male trait while weakness is shown as the female one. Men are depicted as stable while women are shown as impulsive and unpredictable. Logic is shown as masculine while imagination is equated with femininity. It is often possible to identify a character as female or male by simply judging the behavior of […]

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Marriage and Symbolism in “A Doll’s House”

In the play A Doll House, Henrik Ibsen writes about the typical European marriage in the 19th century with the twist of a metaphorical comparison of the Helmer's marriage and their home to a doll house. Ibsen also enriches the play with the use of symbolism throughout the story. These symbols include: the macaroons which represent how Nora misleads Torvald, Dr. Rank's illness and the tarantella dress which represent the things wrong with their marriage. Lastly, another symbol is the […]

Global Issues in “A Doll’s House”

The movement of realism within the arts started to become more widespread in the 19th century. From that, the form of drama that we know today as the "problem play" was born. The problem play is a form of drama that addresses social issues and showcases conflicting perspectives in a realistic manner. Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen was known as the "Father of Theatrical Realism" and displayed the problem play to the mainstream through his works. Ibsen's play "A Doll's House" […]

Characters Conservative Roles of Men and Women in “A Doll’s House”

In the play A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen the author gives the characters conservative roles of men and women from the nineteenth century. The play has a strong plot that contains a series of conflicts that the protagonist of the play must undertake throughout her life, facing an internal struggle between what she believes is right and the way that she must act to please her husband. The protagonist faces difficult decisions she must make and the readers observe how […]

The Greatest Miracle “A Doll’s House”

Upon the final scene of A Doll's House, our main characters Nora and Torvald are met in a dispute involving their marriage and Nora's stance on the matter. For the fact that Nora is now realizing that she has been kept as a child and did not love the man that she has called her husband for so long, she decides that she must leave and start a clean slate by cutting off all contact from Torvald and their children. […]

A Critique of Tone and Diction “A Doll’s House”

The tone and diction in a play, novel, or any other piece of writing is extremely important in portraying a certain theme or idea that the author would like to get across. In A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen used a great amount of diction to get certain tones across in many different scenes throughout the play. We can see how Nora gets treated like a doll or a child throughout the play by Torvald and pretty much accepts it throughout […]

A Doll’s House Gender Roles

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House was a realistic prose drama written in 1879 that portrayed the social constraints women of the 19th century experienced in their daily lives. The controversial social themes in this work embodied the struggle of women to conform to humiliating societal expectations. In the play, the dynamic character Nora, who is first characterized as a trophy wife, begins to recognize the web of lies and deception prevalent in her household. Through the symbol of the tarantella […]

“A Doll’s House” as a Modern Tragedy

Henrik Ibsen's play, A Doll's House, depicts the lives of people who are tragically bound in their social settings. Two women basically swoop position or roles. Ibsen paints a bleak picture of the sacrificial role held by women of all economic classes in his society. The play's female characters show Nora's assertion (spoken to Torvald in Act Three) that even though men refuse to sacrifice their integrity, hundreds of thousands of women have. There is a symbol of revolution that […]

Rights of Women in “A Doll’s House”

Around the eighteenth century, especially eighteen seventy-nine, the time when a A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen had been published; the rights of women were limited, meaning they were not allowed to vote. Typically women did not have the same rights and opportunities as men, and were under their control and seen as objects. Women were not considered capable of achieving a status and were on the bottom of societies social classes. They were not entitled to any training, government […]

Breaking out of the “A Doll’s House”

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen is a challenging read that overturns traditional views of gender roles from the past and paves the way for the initiation of feminism. The story revolves around a woman named Nora Helmer, who lives with her husband, Torvald Helmer. Nora dutifully completes tasks for her husband and socializes with a few friends. She soon discovers that the man who had illicitly helped her secure funds for a vacation might soon lose his job at […]

How does Ibsen Present the Characters of Nora and Helmer in Act One of “A Doll’s House”

Similarly, stage props are used to show the agony of a character's dilemma. When Nora enters at the beginning of the play, she is bringing home a Christmas tree, a symbol of a festival focused on the renewal of life and family happiness. The tree is seen only briefly but for long enough to establish both the time of year and Nora's involvement in ensuring her family's wellbeing. In an attempt to rid herself of the fear after receiving the […]

The Theme of Money Moliere’s Tartuffe and Henrik Ibsen S a Doll’s House

The Theme of Money Moliere's Tartuffe and Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. Plays are some of the most critical pieces of literature that date back to the earlier society. Through a well-defined characterization, play writers have proved to have an extended capacity to communicate ideas and deconstruct themes. Moliere's Tartuffe and Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House are two of the most acclaimed plays in the world of literature. They have well-defined characters and tackle some of the cost controversial themes […]

A Doll House: Unveiling Societal Roles and Liberation

A Doll House written by Henrik Ibsen, is a three-act play, where Ibsen paints a realistic and a bleak picture of the sacrificial role that women hold in the economic classes in society. During that time the wife is expected to be passive and the husband a paternally protective. Yet, Ibsen raises a series of theories that covers in depth the sociological and psychological planes, both of the characters that make up the work, and the temporal and cultural context […]

Feminism is for Everybody Themes of Feminism Marriage and Respect Found in a Doll’s House

The late, great Maya Angelou once said, ""You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."" This idea is one that is clearly embraced my Nora Helmer in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House, a dramatic script filled with many heavy themes that leave a reader questioning their views on some rather hot topics. Feminism reigns supreme in the play, as the rights to equality for womankind are demanded, […]

Love in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”

Henrik Ibsen's controversial play, "A Doll House", conveys the story of a wife's struggle to obtain her self identity and freedom in escaping the social norms of an irrational system of the nineteenth-century. The protagonist of the play, Nora Helmer, represents dependency and submissiveness, which signifies the oppression of women...exemplifying the conventional feminine standard during the period. On the contrary, her husband, Torvald Helmer is characterized as an alpha male. He is fiercely assertive and independent, but even as a […]

Comparison of the Roles of Women in Ibsen S a Doll House and the 21st Century

The gender equality has been a challenging debate for both proponents and opponents alike with each wanting their opinion to be accorded more so when it comes to women. For a long time now the role of a woman in the society has evolved from the old times and now in the 21st century. The way women are treated or view themselves in the 21st century has taken a gradual shift compared to the way they were treated or viewed […]

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Henrik Ibsen

  • Literature Notes
  • Dramatic Structure of A Doll's House
  • Play Summary
  • About A Doll's House
  • Character List
  • Summary and Analysis
  • Character Analysis
  • Nora Helmer
  • Torvald Helmer
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  • Henrik Ibsen Biography
  • Critical Essays
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Critical Essays Dramatic Structure of A Doll's House

Notable for their lack of action, Ibsen's dramas are classical in their staticism. Before the curtain rises, all the significant events have already occurred in the lives of Ibsen's characters, and it is the business of the play to reap the consequences of these past circumstances. The tight logical construction of each drama is the most important factor for the play's plausibility. With this in mind, Ibsen shows how every action of each character is the result of carefully detailed experiences in the earlier life of the person, whether in childhood, education, or genetic environment.

The author shows, for instance, that Nora's impetuosity and carelessness with money are qualities inherited from her father. Krogstad suddenly turns respectable because he needs to pass on a good name for the sake of his maturing sons. Christine returns to town in order to renew her relationship with Krogstad. Finally, to account for Nora's secrecy with regard to the borrowed money, Ibsen shows how Torvald's way of life is devoted to maintaining appearances at the expense of inner truth.

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113 A Doll’s House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best a doll’s house topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 interesting topics to write about a doll’s house, 🎓 good essay topics on a doll’s house, ❓ a doll’s house essays questions, 💯 free a doll’s house essay topic generator.

  • A Doll’s House Modernism Theme In A Doll’s House, one of the outstanding depictions of this way of thinking was seen at the end of the play; in other words, the overall plot of the story has been used to […]
  • Parents as Failed Role Models: A Doll’s House and Fight Club The drinking culture of parents revealed in the story of the Fight Club underscores the elements that increase children’s exposure to alcohol and drug taking.
  • Costs and Benefits of Conformity and Rebellion in Selected Literature The works are often a depiction of the way of life of the people in the society at that particular period of time In this essay, the author uses the works of chosen authors to […]
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen Nora is referred by her husband as a songbird, a lark, a squirrel, names that suggest how insignificant she is to her.
  • Henrick Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Nora’s father is mentioned quite often in the play, a fact that makes him equal to his daughter because of the deeds of the daughter.
  • A Doll’s House Stage Design: Set & Costumes Analysis One of the foremost characteristics of Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House is that its plot appears linearly defined, which, in turn, explains the semantic realism of play’s overall sounding.
  • A Doll’s House by Norway’s Henrik Ibsen It’s ironic when Torvald says that he pretends Nora is in some kind of trouble, and he waits the time he can rescue her.
  • Comparison of Nora from A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and Elisa from The Chrysanthemums by John Steinbeck The story of John Steinbeck describes only one day of life of the character, while Henrik Ibsen uses three acts in order to provide the whole picture and to describe the rise of the conflict […]
  • Personal Freedom in A Doll’s House, A Room of One’s Own, and Diary of a Madman In Chapter Three of Virginia Woolf’s A Room of One’s Own, the protagonist attempts to make sense of the nonsensical elements of female history, namely, how it could be that “in Athena’s city, where women […]
  • Drama analysis: A Doll’s House This paper analyses the position of a woman in society, the aspect of social life as well as the importance of responsibility in the drama A Doll’s House.
  • “A Doll’s House”, “The Storm” and “The Victims” Even though Nora is loyal to her husband in the “Doll’s House”, she is brave enough to look forward to a future on her own due to her husband’s unwillingness to become more considerate.
  • Liberation of Women: “A Doll’s House” Analysis While in some scenes the lights are turned off, towards the end of the play the intensity of light increases especially when Nora is talking to her husband. This is escalated towards the end of […]
  • Analysis of Setting, Character Development, and Symbolism in the Play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. In the play, the author creates the unity of setting so as to underscore the feeling that the main heroine Nora is the prisoner of her life.
  • The Interpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Presented by Patrick Garland The role of women in the society of the 19th century is a rather controversial point for the discussion in literature because of the fact the end of the century can be characterized as the […]
  • The Change of Gender Roles This similarity is one of the most important to focus on the structure of the narrative. In both plays, the main actions of the characters are not directly described by the authors.
  • Drama: A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen Given actions at the end of the play, she may appear to be a villain, but, in fact, she is a victim of her circumstances she was driven to her decision by the blackmail and […]
  • Freedom in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” Literature Analysis In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, the main character, Nora is not an intellectual, and spends no time scouring books or libraries or trying to make sense of her situation.
  • Plays Comparison: Pygmalion, A Doll’s House and Trifles This especially appears to be the case in the situations when what happened to be the actual truth, simply does much of a logical sense in the concerned person’s eyes.
  • “The Father” and “A Doll’s House” Resting on these facts, it is possible to analyze some works which belong to the same period of time in order to understand the main ideas of the epoch and the authors message to readers.
  • “A Doll’s House” and “Death of a Salesman” Comparison The main conflict of the play is thoroughly intergenerational and lies in Willy’s inability to accept the decision of his older son Biff, as the latter is willing to leave town to go to farmland […]
  • Symbolism in “A Doll’s House” Play by Henrik Ibsen The main objective of the play “A Doll’s House” is to advocate for the ability of each individual in making decisions that are not based on the influences of other persons around him or her. […]
  • Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” Analysis The purpose of this paper is to discuss the prominent elements of fiction used in A Doll’s House as the most vivid example of Ibsen’s approach, analyze the applied dramatic techniques, and describe different layers […]
  • Setting’s Influence: “A Doll’s House” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” This paper focuses on the setting in the works A Doll’s House and The Handmaid’s Tale and its impact on the characters and the author’s context through the prism of the chosen historical periods, culture, […]
  • Henrik Ibsen’s History of “A Doll’s House” Drama While I desired Nora to become a type of Everyman in the exploration of the development of the individual as a real and valid human being, this type of exploration was only possible within this […]
  • The Play ‘A Doll’s House’ The play A Doll’s House is the best play the audience is presented to. Besides, the actors must come up to the audience from behind the scenes because the viewer does not need to […]
  • “A Doll’s House” by H. Ibsen: Do Desires Have a Gender? In the end, many of the characters’ desires are shaped by social norms that are imposed on them, and while some characters choose to go along with society’s expectations of them, others revolt and seek […]
  • “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen He watches and describes the atmosphere of all-absorbing illusion in the society, drawing attention to the rights and destiny of a woman in it. The core of this illusion is a woman’s position in society, […]
  • Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Play from a Biographical Perspective Later in the play, the reader learns that this is a childhood trait and she cannot allow her husband to feel obligated to her.
  • Similarities and Differences in “The Little Foxes” and “A Doll’s House” The same parallel exists with Ibsen’s Nora, who realized that to her husband, she was a doll to be played with and admired.
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” Play by Ibsen Her father used to refer to her as his doll-child, and he used to play with her in the same way she used to play with him. As a result, near the end of the […]
  • Feminism in “A Doll’s House” by Ibsen Benhabib’s chapter, “Feminism and the Question of Postmodernism,” highlights the connection between feminism and postmodernism in contemporary society. Nasrin examines the role of feminism in enforcing justice and human rights activism.
  • “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen Review Thus, in the story, the main theme, which is the sacrificial role of female characters, is supported by the conflict of societal standards and personal intentions alongside symbolic elements.
  • Positive Role Model in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen To sum up, A Doll’s House presents the harsh life of the mother and wife, Nora, who is trapped with her husband with no choices and goals.
  • Marriage in Plays “A Doll’s House” and “Fences” The revelation of her husband’s true character and perspective on life causes Nora’s disillusionment with her relationship and the institution of marriage in general.
  • Relationships in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen He cares mostly about his money and reputation, and through his pressure and arrogance, he makes Nora believe that her life has to only be devoted to her husband and children.
  • “Semiotic Analysis of “”A Doll’s House”” by H. Ibsen” Nora is in an intermediate position between a man and a tree, decorating the tree and allowing her husband to such behavior.
  • The Play “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen: Feminist Themes Hossain’s article explores the manifestations of the ideas of post-modernist feminism in the play through the analysis of the main character’s development and the overall social order where women were subordinate to men.
  • Deception in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen It is important to note that the topic of deception and self-deception in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” is of paramount criticality in order to understand the underlying message and characters’ actions.
  • Women’s Refusal in Euripides’ Medea and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Using Soren Kierkegaard’s Philosophies Of Truth To Analyze A Doll’s House
  • The Transformation of a Woman – Ibsen’s a Doll’s House
  • An Analysis of a Woman’s Manhood in A Doll’s House
  • Dressed to Impress: The Role of the Dress in Cinderella and A Doll’s House
  • Reasons For Nora Helmer To Stay In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Male Roles in the Plays Antigone and A Doll’s House
  • Searching for a Hero in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • The Theme Of Feminism In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Women’s Rights as a Theme of A Doll’s House
  • The Binary Opposition Of Phylogeny Versus Misogyny In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • The Role of Symbolism in a Doll’s House
  • Deception Of Family In Death Of A Salesman And A Doll’s House
  • Gender and Theatricality in A Doll’s House
  • How Does the Title a Doll’s House Demonstrate an Allegory for Women’s Role at That Time
  • Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and Plot, Irony, Characterization
  • Nora’s Character Development in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Representation Of Patriarchal Ideology In “A Doll’s House”
  • Rights Of Women In The Nineteenth Century And In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Role Playing and Control in A Doll’s House
  • Escaping the Cage of Marriage in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Significance of Nora’s Financial Contract With Krogstad in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • The Morality of Relationships in ‘A Doll’s House’
  • Symbols of Personal Renewal in Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’
  • The Problem of Free Will and How It is Treated in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • The Detrimental Nature of a Love for Money in Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • Women’s Role in Society Analyzed and Debated in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • The Subjection of Women Exposed in A Doll’s House
  • Societal Views Of Women In The Victorian Era In Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • The position of masculinity and femininity in A Doll’s House
  • Symbols and Symbolism as Indicative of Key Themes in Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Society’s Influence on the Relationships in A Doll’s House
  • The Concincing Character Develpoment in Nora Helmer of A Doll’s
  • The Importance Of Truth In A Doll’s House, By Henrik Ibsen
  • Themes and Symbols in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House
  • A Double Standard in “A Doll’s House”
  • A Feminist Literary Stance, Roles Of Women In Henrik Ibsen’s Play A Doll’s House
  • Comparative Analysis of Feminist Literary Heroines Nora in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” and Antigone in Sophocles’ “Antigone”
  • Appearance vs. Reality in Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
  • Links between Crime and Punishment and A Doll’s House
  • Limitations On Women In A Doll’s House And Antigone
  • Literary Analysis of Feminism Seen in Antigone and A Doll’s House
  • Individual Growth, Marriage and Social Convention in “A Doll’s House”
  • Inferior Role of a Married Woman Nora in a Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen
  • Social Issues as Reflected in “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen
  • Reading A Doll’s House Through Aristotelian Ideas
  • What Is the Main Message of the Doll’s House?
  • How Is Nora a Hypocrite?
  • What Are Three Main Themes of the Play a Doll’s House?
  • How Is Nora Manipulative?
  • What Is the Symbolic Meaning of the Tarantella in a Doll’s House?
  • How Do Dolls Represent Nora as a Character?
  • What Are the Symbols in a Doll’s House?
  • Why Did Nora Borrow Money?
  • What Does a Doll’s House Say About Society?
  • Why Does Nora Dance Wildly?
  • What Does the Christmas Tree Symbolize in a Doll’s House?
  • How Is a Doll’s House an Example of Realism?
  • What Crime Did Nora Commit?
  • Who Is the Antagonist of a Doll’s House?
  • What Does Nora’s Happiness Symbolize?
  • Why Is Nora Compared to a Doll?
  • What Does the Lamp Come To Symbolize in a Doll House?
  • What Does Nora Sacrifice in a Doll’s House?
  • What Do Macaroons Represent in a Doll’s House?
  • Why Does Nora Forge Her Father’s Signature?
  • What Is the Central Problem of a Doll’s House?
  • How Is Nora Treated as a Doll?
  • What Are Three Symbols That Can Be Found in the Doll’s House?
  • What Does the Mailbox With a Key Symbolize in a Doll House?
  • What Secret Has Nora Been Keeping?
  • What Is the Irony in a Doll’s House?
  • What Is the Moral of a Doll’s House?What Literary Theory Is a Doll’s House?
  • How Is Feminism Portrayed in a Doll’s House?
  • What Dramatic Style Is a Doll’s House?
  • Chicago (N-B)
  • Chicago (A-D)

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Nora’s True Identity

      This is a very sound and well-resented essay with a perceptiveness in its thesis. There are a few glitches in some of the sentences, but not enough to detract for the overall impression of intelligent commentary. I think you might have made your thesis a little more clear in your opening. For instance, you might have said: "Even in the life she lives with Torvald, there are signs that beneath the "twitterbird" and "squirrel," there is a strong and capable woman functioning in secret. It is this secret Nora who emerges in the end, ready to openly seek an independent life where her attributes needn't be concealed." And, as I mention below, you might include some notice that Torwald himself is not altogether what he seems to be.

     Again, some fine thinking through the implications of the play and a clear exposition. This is a good example of an A paper. I would probably give it in the vicinity of a 96.

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — A Doll's House

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Essays on A Doll's House

“a doll's house” essay, types of "a doll's house" essays.

  • Character Analysis: This type of essay focuses on the analysis of the characters in the play. The writer explores the characters' motivations, actions, and relationships, and how they contribute to the play's themes and messages.
  • Theme Analysis: This type of essay examines the major themes and messages of the play. The writer analyzes how the characters, plot, and setting contribute to these themes and what Ibsen was trying to convey through his work.
  • Literary Analysis: This type of essay looks at the literary elements of the play, such as plot, setting, symbolism, and imagery. The writer analyzes how these elements contribute to the play's meaning and message.

“A Dolls House” Essay: Character Analysis

  • Read the play thoroughly and take notes on the characters. It's important to have a clear understanding of each character's background, personality traits, and motivations before writing the essay.
  • Choose a character to analyze. You may want to focus on the protagonist, Nora, or explore the motivations of her husband, Torvald, or other key characters.
  • Use evidence from the text to support your analysis. Look for dialogue, actions, and interactions between characters that reveal their personalities and motivations.
  • Consider the historical and social context of the play. "A Doll's House" was written in the late 19th century, during a time when women's rights were a contentious issue. This context is important to consider when analyzing the characters' behaviors and motivations.
  • Use literary techniques to support your analysis. Look for symbolism, metaphor, and other literary devices that reveal deeper meanings and insights into the characters.

“A Doll House” Essay: Theme Analysis

  • Read the play carefully: Before starting to write, it is important to read the play thoroughly and take notes on the themes and messages that emerge from the text.
  • Choose a specific theme: A Doll's House contains several themes, including gender roles, marriage, and societal expectations. It is important to choose a specific theme to focus on in the essay.
  • Develop a thesis statement: The thesis statement should clearly and concisely express the writer's main argument or perspective on the chosen theme.
  • Analyze literary devices: Ibsen uses several literary devices, such as symbolism and foreshadowing, to convey his messages. Analyzing these devices can help the writer to uncover deeper meanings and themes in the play.
  • Provide evidence: Use quotes and specific examples from the play to support the writer's analysis and arguments.
  • Consider the historical context: A Doll's House was written in the late 19th century and reflects the societal norms and expectations of that time. It is important to consider the historical context in which the play was written when analyzing its themes.

Literary Analysis

  • Choose a specific literary element or technique to analyze (e.g., symbolism, metaphor, irony).
  • Provide evidence from the text to support your analysis.
  • Focus on the author's use of language and its effects on the reader.
  • Consider the historical, cultural, and social context of the play.
  • Avoid summarizing the plot; instead, analyze how the plot contributes to the play's themes and messages.
  • Use literary terms to demonstrate your understanding of the text.
  • Use quotes to illustrate your analysis but make sure to provide analysis and interpretation of the quote.

Tips for Choosing a Topic for "A Doll's House" Essay:

  • Choose a topic that interests you and that you have a strong opinion on.
  • Focus on a specific aspect of the play, such as a character, theme, or literary device.
  • Conduct thorough research on your topic to gather evidence and support for your arguments.
  • Take notes and organize your ideas before starting to write.
  • Develop a clear thesis statement that summarizes your main argument and guides your writing.
  • Use quotes from the play to support your arguments and analyze their significance.
  • Proofread and edit your essay to ensure it is clear, concise, and free of errors.

"A Doll’s House" by Henrik Ibsen

Symbolism in a doll's house by henrik ibsen.

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December 21, 1879

Henrik Ibsen

Naturalistic / Realistic Problem Play, Modern Tragedy

Norwegian, Danish

Nora, Torvald Helmer, Krogstad, Mrs. Linde, Dr. Rank, Children, Anne-Marie, Helene

The home of the Helmer family in an unspecified Norwegian town or city, circa 1879

The awakening of a middle-class wife and mother.

21 December 1879, by Henrik Ibsen

The play centres on an ordinary family — Torvald Helmer, a bank lawyer, and his wife, Nora, and their three little children. Into this arrangement intrude several hard-minded outsiders, one of whom threatens to expose a fraud that Nora had once committed without her husband’s knowledge in order to obtain a loan needed to save his life. When Nora’s act is revealed, Torvald reacts with outrage and repudiates her out of concern for his own social reputation. Utterly disillusioned about her husband, whom she now sees as a hollow fraud, Nora declares her independence of him and their children and leaves them.

The main themes of Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House revolve around the values and the issues of late 19th-century bourgeoisie, namely what looks appropriate, the value of money, and the way women navigate a landscape that leaves them little room to assert themselves as actual human beings.

Nora Helmer, Torvald Helmer, Dr. Rank, Kristine Linde, Nils Krogstad, The Children (Ivar, Bobby and Emmy), Anne Marie, Helene, The Porter

A Doll's House was based on the life of Laura Kieler (maiden name Laura Smith Petersen), a good friend of Ibsen. Much that happened between Nora and Torvald happened to Laura and her husband, Victor. Similar to the events in the play, Laura signed an illegal loan to save her husband's life – in this case, to find a cure for his tuberculosis.[

The play was a great sensation at the time, and caused a "storm of outraged controversy" that went beyond the theatre to the world of newspapers and society. In 2006, the centennial of Ibsen's death, A Doll's House held the distinction of being the world's most performed play that year. UNESCO has inscribed Ibsen's autographed manuscripts of A Doll's House on the Memory of the World Register in 2001, in recognition of their historical value.

“You have never loved me. You have only thought it pleasant to be in love with me.” “You see, there are some people that one loves, and others that perhaps one would rather be with.” “I must make up my mind which is right – society or I.” “But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves. It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done.”

Relevant topics

  • Macbeth Ambition
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • A Raisin in The Sun
  • Death of a Salesman
  • Macbeth Guilt
  • Antigone Tragic Hero
  • Hamlet Theme
  • Merchant of Venice

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essay in a doll's house

Renting vs. buying a house: The good option for your wallet got even better this year

essay in a doll's house

If you are debating whether to rent or buy your first home: it is cheaper to rent. In fact, it's gotten even cheaper since last year.

Steep home prices, high mortgage rates and marginally declining rental costs are making renting a studio-to -two bedroom apartment nearly $1,200 ($1,183) less expensive per month than buying a starter home in 47 out of the top 50 metros in the U.S., according to an analysis by Realtor.com.

And that is nearly $500 cheaper per month to rent than even last year, when renting was the cheaper option in 45 states.

In August, 2022, renting a 0-2 bedroom unit in these markets was $700 cheaper than buying a starter home in rent-favoring markets.

The report defines a starter home as a home with two or fewer bedrooms and assumes a 7% down payment for first-time buyers (based on the  national average  since 2018) on a 30-year fixed mortgage rate to calculate a monthly mortgage payment. It also includes HOA fees, taxes, and homeowner’s insurance averaged at metro levels as part of the costs.

Learn more: Best personal loans

The average U.S. fixed interest rate for a 30-year lingered above 7% this week as the Federal Reserve paused their interest rate hikes, according to Freddie Mac. During the same period in 2022, the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.2%. 

Renting became more attractive in August as the median asking rent declined -0.5% year-over-year in rent-favoring markets, a trend significantly different from 12 months ago.

From August 2022 to August 2023, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate jumped from 5.2% to 7.07% and the average monthly cost to buy a starter home in these markets climbed by 21%, increasing from $2,500 to $2,959. As a result, the monthly savings from renting a 0-2 bedroom apartment in rent-favoring markets were $483 higher compared to the prior year. 

Metros: Which metro areas are growing fastest? Since 2019, this is where most folks are flocking.

The median existing-home sales price in August climbed 3.9% from one year ago to $407,100 – the third consecutive month the median sales price surpassed $400,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.

As home prices continue their march up, the gap between buying and selling is getting wider.

In 47 of the 50 largest U.S. metros, the average monthly cost of buying a starter home in August was $2,959 or 64% higher than the cost of renting ($1,776). Last year, however, buying a 0- 2 bedroom home in the rent-favoring markets would only cost $700 or 36% more than renting in August 2022. (The median rent in August 2022 for 0-2 bedroom apartment was $1,800 and the monthly payment to buy a starter home was $2,500).

Is it better to rent or buy in Austin?

Austin, Texas, topped the list of markets that favor renting, where the monthly cost of buying a starter home was $3,946, which was 136% more than the monthly rent of $1,670, for a monthly savings of $2,276.

The metro seeing the most substantial surge in savings compared to last year, if renting, is San Jose, California. In August 2023, renting a starter home in San Jose yielded monthly savings of $3,214. Last year, the savings would have come to $1,964. 

“As the cost of buying has risen and renting has fallen, a simple monthly comparison shows that renting is cheaper,” says Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com.

Where is it cheaper to buy than rent?

The three metros where it is still cheaper to buy than rent are Memphis, Tennessee; Pittsburgh and Birmingham, Alabama.

“They stand out as the low-cost areas where buyers can still find a home with an immediate cost-savings relative to rent, but there aren't many homes that fall into that category in these markets,” says Hale told USA TODAY.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is the housing and economy reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on Twitter @SwapnaVenugopal

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  1. A Doll's House Essay Essay

    A Doll's House is a play about power, money, guilt, duty, and family relationships. A Doll's House starts with Mrs. Nora Helmer who decides that her family should have an evening at home to celebrate Torvald's birthday even though there are various outside activities planned earlier on that day.

  2. A Doll's House: Suggested Essay Topics

    Henrik Ibsen Study Guide Full Text Mastery Quizzes PLUS Flashcards PLUS Essays Suggested Essay Topics 1. What is the relationship between Mrs. Linde's arrival and Nora's awakening and transformation? 2. In Act One, Mrs. Linde describes Nora as "a child." Is this assessment of Nora's state of development valid? 3.

  3. A Doll's House Essay Questions

    A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen Buy Study Guide A Doll's House Essay Questions 1 The play is usually considered one of Ibsen's "realist" plays. Consider how far the play might be anti-realist or symbolic. Answer: Consider the symbols, metaphors, and imagery of the play, and weigh their importance against the elements that seem realistic.

  4. A Doll's House Critical Essays

    Say you're sick" when the doorbell rings. The primary agent of empowerment in A Doll's House is money. Private and public rewards result from its presence. It enabled Nora and Torvald to travel...

  5. A Doll's House: Full Play Analysis

    A Doll's House explores the ways that societal expectations restrict individuals, especially women, as the young housewife Nora Helmer comes to the realization that she has spent her eight-year marriage, and indeed most of her life, pretending to be the person that Torvald, her father, and society at large expect her to be.At the beginning of the play, Nora believes that all she wants is to ...

  6. A Doll's House

    A Doll's House, play in three acts by Henrik Ibsen, published in Norwegian as Et dukkehjem in 1879 and performed the same year. The play centres on an ordinary family—Torvald Helmer, a bank lawyer, and his wife, Nora, and their three little children. Torvald supposes himself the ethical member of

  7. A Doll's House Study Guide

    A Doll's House was the second in a series of realist plays by Ibsen. The first, The Pillars of Society (1877), had caused a stir throughout Europe, quickly spreading to the avant garde theaters of the island and the continent. In adopting the realist form, Ibsen abandoned his earlier style of saga plays, historical epics, and verse allegories.

  8. A Doll's House Act 1, section 1 Summary & Analysis

    A summary of Act 1, section 1 in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of A Doll's House and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.

  9. A Doll's House Essays

    A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. A Doll's House Material Study Guide Q & A Essays Lesson Plan E-Text Join Now to View Premium Content

  10. "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen

    In A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, Henrik consider traditional aspect of men and women back on the early age. In the play "A Doll's House," Nora represent the conventional feminine basic of the age.

  11. A Doll's House Essay Topics, Questions, Prompts, & Examples

    Print A Doll's House Essay Topics & Samples (1 votes) In this particular section, you can find excellent topics for A Doll's House essay. You might be a tired student who is out of ideas. You may be a journalist who wants to write a piece about this great play. No matter what brought you here.

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    Essays for A Doll's House. A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. Influence of Antigone on A Doll's House; Burning Down the Doll House; Ibsen's Portrayal of Women; Dressed to Impress: The Role of the Dress in ...

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    A Doll's House Essay Sort By: Page 1 of 50 - About 500 essays A Doll's House A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen is centered around the Helmer household, and the roles that Torvald and Nora play in their marriage. Torvald's superiority and condescending attitude are the basis for an unequal marriage in which Nora is treated like a doll.

  14. A Doll's House Summary

    Essays for A Doll's House. A Doll's House essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House. Influence of Antigone on A Doll's House; Burning Down the Doll House; Ibsen's Portrayal of Women; Dressed to Impress: The Role of the Dress in ...

  15. A Dolls House

    In the play "A Doll's House" written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879, Torvald, Nora's husband, is lied to when his wife goes behind his back and borrows two-hundred and fifty pounds from a man named Krogstad, which in order to get had to forge her father's signature.

  16. Dramatic Structure of A Doll's House

    Critical Essays Dramatic Structure of. A Doll's House. Notable for their lack of action, Ibsen's dramas are classical in their staticism. Before the curtain rises, all the significant events have already occurred in the lives of Ibsen's characters, and it is the business of the play to reap the consequences of these past circumstances.

  17. 113 A Doll's House Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    One of the foremost characteristics of Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House is that its plot appears linearly defined, which, in turn, explains the semantic realism of play's overall sounding. A Doll's House by Norway's Henrik Ibsen

  18. Essay on A Doll's House

    What? Is my squirrel in the sulks?" (Ibsen 842). It seems as if he is talking to a little child. And he says that as he is giving her money, which makes their interaction seem almost of a grown grandparent giving money to his precious, favorite young granddaughter.

  19. Essays on A Doll's House

    1 "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen 1 page / 671 words In A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, Henrik consider traditional aspect of men and women back on the early age. In the play "A Doll's House," Nora represent the conventional feminine basic of the age. She seems defenseless and purview herself through patriarchal assumption, which...

  20. A Doll's House Essay

    The title A Doll's House describes the facade of a family living in a nice house. The platitude "All that glitters is not gold" means that not everything that looks good on the outside is not good on the inside, like a doll's house. In the first part of the play, Nora's old friend from school, Mrs. Linde arrives impromptu.

  21. Individuality In A Doll's House

    Individuality In A Doll's House. 1651 Words7 Pages. Gender Roles and Individuality Beginning from an early age, the distinction of both male and female are introduced to children. Both genders were represented by colors such as blue and pink which defined the male figures as dominant and the female figure as feminine.

  22. A Doll's House Essay

    A Doll's House, by Henrik Ibsen, portrays a young married woman, Nora, who plays a dramatic role of deception and self-indulgence. The author creates a good understanding of a woman's role by assuming Nora is an average housewife who does not work; her only job is to maintain the. 3448 Words. 14 Pages. Decent Essays.

  23. A Doll's House Grief Essay

    A Doll's House Grief Essay. 1087 Words5 Pages. The five stages of grief in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House In A Doll's House, Henrik Ibsen portrays the five stages of mourning to symbolise the death of the protagonist, Nora's, marriage. The five stages of mourning, also known as the Kübler-Ross Model of Grief, postulate the development ...

  24. Trifles And A Doll's House

    Trifles And A Doll's House. 1346 Words6 Pages. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one in three women and have been victims of [some form of] physical violence by an intimate partner within their lifetime. This statistic is very relevant to the two plays 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen and 'Trifles ...

  25. Gender Roles In A Doll's House By Ibsen

    Gender Roles In A Doll's House By Ibsen. 1). In the play, A Doll's House, two types of conscience are displayed in the gender role of the marriage between Nora and Torvald. The wife, Nora, is dependent upon her husband, Torvald who is a proud independent man. He controls money as a form of power in their marriage and rewards her behaviors for ...

  26. Gender Roles In A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen

    The play "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen features a housewife with a scandalous secret in the mid-1800s. Throughout the play, the characters portray gender qualities congruent with the time period. Nora, the housewife represents the typical stay at home mother without any real authority and Torvald, the husband, represents the masculine ...

  27. A Doll House Act 2 And 3 Analysis

    A Doll House Act 2 And 3 Analysis. 263 Words2 Pages. When I was reading act 2 and 3 from "A Doll House" by Henrik Ibsen, I was always thinking to myself when Nora was going to stand up for herself from Torvald. Her husband was shaming her every chance he got. As a reader, it felt a little awkward that Nora wasn't mad at Torvald for ...

  28. How Is Nora Presented In A Doll's House

    How Is Nora Presented In A Doll's House. In the movie A Doll's House the characters are Nora, Torvald, Dr. Rank, Krogstad, Linde or Christine, the housemaid, the nurse Anne and Torvald's three young children. This movie takes place in the late 1900s in a town called Norway. In this movie Torvald's wife, Nora, is going to get caught by Torvald ...

  29. Rent vs. buy? Here's what will save you more this year on a house

    In 47 of the 50 largest U.S. metros, the average monthly cost of buying a starter home in August was $2,959 or 64% higher than the cost of renting ($1,776). Last year, however, buying a 0- 2 ...