A Doll House. Obsession with Wealth and Power
Sheila McClure
ENG103
June 1, 2012
Literary Research Paper
Obsession with Wealth and Power
The exploitation of the weak and the poor by the strong and rich, as well as an obsession with material possessions is a common theme found in Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House”. Karl Marx states that “the ruling ideas are nothing more than the ideal expression of the dominant material relationships, the dominant relationships grasped as ideas” (Marx). These ideas are realized throughout “A Doll’s House”. The main characters in are all affected by the lack or acquisition of money, and their entire lives and ways of thinking are based upon it. The belief that human thought is a “product of the individual’s social and economic condition is one of the primary tenets of Marxism” (Holcombe 1259) and “that the weak or less fortunate are always exploited by the richer bourgeoisie” (1259). With this in mind, much of the play is flooded with this Marxist theme and can be seen from each of the main character’s perspectives. Marxism has to do with the unequal division of wealth and power in society, where the subordinates of society are kept powerless and dependent upon the higher classes. “A Doll’s House” portrays the stubborn class pride of saving face and preserving one’s reputation. Nora, Krogstad, Christine and Anne-Marie, are depicted as the lower class or oppressed, while Torvald the banker, is a beacon of capitalistic society and assumes the role of the oppressor. It also shows a social order in which the male holds the reigns of the family and has complete superiority over the female. Nora is financially dependent on Torvald and her behavior throughout the play is her way of gaining attention from him as well as pumping his ego. Material wealth and financial conditions completely dominate Nora’s way of thinking and her outlook on life. The play opens with Nora returning from a shopping trip with an “a number of parcels” (Ibsen 1281), followed by a
ENG103
June 1, 2012
Literary Research Paper
Obsession with Wealth and Power
The exploitation of the weak and the poor by the strong and rich, as well as an obsession with material possessions is a common theme found in Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House”. Karl Marx states that “the ruling ideas are nothing more than the ideal expression of the dominant material relationships, the dominant relationships grasped as ideas” (Marx). These ideas are realized throughout “A Doll’s House”. The main characters in are all affected by the lack or acquisition of money, and their entire lives and ways of thinking are based upon it. The belief that human thought is a “product of the individual’s social and economic condition is one of the primary tenets of Marxism” (Holcombe 1259) and “that the weak or less fortunate are always exploited by the richer bourgeoisie” (1259). With this in mind, much of the play is flooded with this Marxist theme and can be seen from each of the main character’s perspectives. Marxism has to do with the unequal division of wealth and power in society, where the subordinates of society are kept powerless and dependent upon the higher classes. “A Doll’s House” portrays the stubborn class pride of saving face and preserving one’s reputation. Nora, Krogstad, Christine and Anne-Marie, are depicted as the lower class or oppressed, while Torvald the banker, is a beacon of capitalistic society and assumes the role of the oppressor. It also shows a social order in which the male holds the reigns of the family and has complete superiority over the female. Nora is financially dependent on Torvald and her behavior throughout the play is her way of gaining attention from him as well as pumping his ego. Material wealth and financial conditions completely dominate Nora’s way of thinking and her outlook on life. The play opens with Nora returning from a shopping trip with an “a number of parcels” (Ibsen 1281), followed by a
References: Cited Barnet, Sylvan, William Burto, and William E. Cain. "Chapter 34." An Introduction to Literature: Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. New York: Pearson - Longman, 2006. 1280-332. Print. Holcombe, John. "MARXIST VIEWS." Marxist Views of Literature. Litlangs Ltda., 2007. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://www.textetc.com/theory/marxist-views.html>. Templeton, Joan. Ibsen 's Women. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1997. 111-38. Print. Wong, Michael. "Karl Marx 's "Communist Manifesto"" Essays: Karl Marx 's Communist Manifesto. 2004. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://www.stardestroyer.net/Empire/Essays/Marxism.html>.