Final Scene Assignment

Final scene

I have selected Henrik Ibesn’s play “A Doll’s House” because it offers insights into different aspects of drama. The central characters of the play Nora and Helmer portray the typical patriarchal system in which male is powerful and authoritative. On the contrary, the wife exhibits the themes of oppression, dependence and lack of self-worth. Nora had been struggling to fit in the doll's house by accepting the orders and rules of her husband. The play holds great significance because it captures the reality of a typical household where the woman continues to suffer the consequence of social constraints.

I have picked the scene where Nora encounters her husband, Helmer with courage and demands freedom. In the scene, Nora mentions, “I set you free from all your obligations. You are not to feel bound in the slightest way, any more than I shall. There must be perfect freedom on both sides. See, here is your ring back. Give me mine” (Ibsen 1556). The scene transmits the themes of escape, desire for freedom and independence. In the scene, the wife tells her husband that she needs a different life for herself. The reason for choosing this scene is to evaluate how the relationship between the two characters changes when Nora attempts to take a bold role. This scene is of profound importance because it expresses the search for identity and desire for living a better life. The scene is the illustration of repressed feelings of a housewife who desire to change her life. This can be related to the real life of many women who are taking the same role as typical housewives and lack freedom. The scene is a perfect example of the old patriarchy where males continue to enjoy their authoritative role. This speaks about the miserable fate of the housewife who ended her freedom and independence at the time of marriage. This can also be used for capturing the deeper meaning of male-female differences of status. The scene is of great significance because Nora demands freedom when she has witnesses disrespect, humiliation and self-worthlessness.

In the scene, I would have added strong dialogues that would transmit the passion and determination of Nora. Similarly, she could have confronted Helmer in a better way by making him realize his mistakes. In the scene, I would make Nora say things that Helmer did for showing his disrespect. This provides better reasoning for Nora’s stand and her bold decision of leaving the house. To add more power to the female character I would raise her voice for exhibiting the anger that had been hidden inside her. This would have been appropriate for transmitting the themes of the search for identity, recognition and worth.

To add more vividness to the scene I would have made Helmer beg Nora for dropping her idea. This would convey his feelings of fear and insecurities. When he learns the power of woman begets confused and attempts to change her idea by convincing her to stay. Helmer will also try to use emotional blackmailing by asking Nora to think about her children and duty. He will also try to undermine her passion by informing

The scene will change in the play by partying the loud expressions of Nora. She will complain about wasting her whole life in the doll's house. In the scene, a toy dollhouse will be placed nearby. Nora will pick that and break the house that will provide a vivid depiction of her new journey.

The scene would change the play because it will portray the loud nature of the woman. The boldness of Nora is only revealed in the final scene in the original play. But throughout the play, she has been witnessed as a weaker character. I will change the settings of the scene in the play by and present the interaction in a vivid manner. The scene will change the play because it will not only capture the themes of feminism but will also present the nature of males. The insecurities of Helmer will be used for transmitting the concept of male weakness. He will try to frighten Nora of her journey by saying that ‘you will end nowhere'. Similarly, his emphasis on reminding her of her duties will also express his confusion and weakened state.

Things to consider:

Main action: The main action reveals that Normal, the wife is moving to the doorway with her luggage bag. Her husband follows her and tries to stop her but she gets agitated. Nora then puts her bag on the side and speaks. She mentions, "I am not going to ruin my life in this dollhouse now. You have always taken me for granted and gave me nothing but humility. I have nothing of my own here. Now I am leaving and will search for myself". Helmer mentions, "you can't leave me and your children. Think about your duties. And you will not survive in the outer world because you lack experience. You will end nowhere". Nora then picks the doll house and breaks it. She slams the door and leaves.

Characters: the main characters of the scene include Nora and Helmer. They are husband and wife who had been living together for many years.

Objective: The objective of the scene is to portray the rebellious nature of Nora who decides to break the social norms by leaving the doll's house. The scene transmits the dependence, courage and stamina of the woman. It aims at relating feminism with strength and dignity. The objective is also to show that a woman can take any role if she dares to and no one can stop her. The only thing that convinces her to follow the patriarchal system is her own desire of serving her household and husband.

Place: The scene will take place inside the house near the main door because Nora is about to leave the home forever.

Time: The scene takes place at midnight when the kids have slept. Only Nora and her husband are awake at the moment.

Hours: the play will take place over 24 hours.

The play will take place in real time because it recreates the realities of the current society where women are still struggling for freedom. The play is created in real time for building its relevance with the reality where women still face social sanctions and are unable to live an independent life.

Emotional journey

The central character of the play, Nora has undergone emotional journey. She played the role of a perfect housewife by fulfilling her responsibilities of a wife and mother. She never complained about anything and followed the orders of her husband. Irrespective of her efforts and hard work Helmer disrespected her. He plays the role of a perfect male who controls his wife and set restrictions on her. He humiliated her by claiming that he had been fulfilling her financial needs. Nora throughout her journey of a housewife lacked independence. She was not even allowed to eat macrons because her husband stopped her. She cared for her husband and when he was going through emotional turmoil due to his sickness, Nora obtained a loan and planned for vacations. However, when Helmer finds about the loan he treats Nora badly and makes her realize that she is dependent on him.

Nora asks for help but he denies and humiliates her again and again. This makes Nora sad and broke her badly. She decides to leave the house of her husband because she learns that nothing belongs to her there. Her emotional state is apparent in her decision of leaving the doll’s house and findings a place of her own. She suffers the worst consequences of her husband’s ruthless attitude. The emotional journey of Nora transforms her from a worthless creature to a bold and powerful woman.

Revelations:

The play reveals the true nature of a woman how struggles for self –identity and dignity. In the house of her husband, she lacks independence and freedom. the decision of Nora to leave the doll's house depicts her passion and determination towards finding self. She comes to a point where she rejects to become a doll for her husband. This transmits the themes of self-worth and respect. The play also reveals the real nature of a male who is inclined to follow the same typical social norms for taking a dominant role. The character of Helmer depicts masculine personality by suppressing the desires of his wife.

The relationship between husband and wife transmits the themes of typical society that constraints the females from living a life according to their own desires. The typical patriarchy gives more power to the male character. The play illustrates that the determination of a woman cannot be stopped. If she decides to achieve freedom no one can stop her. The journey of Nora reveals that a woman desires to escaping the socially sanctioned society.