Today in AP Literature, the class read “The Doll’s House” or “The Doll House”. The play begins with the characters Nora, her husband (Torvald), Christine, Krogstad, and a few other minor characters. When I first heard these two titles, I did not see any difference between them. Little did I know that this slight possessive form completely changes the purpose of the title. After the first few chapters, I began to comprehend the complexity of each title.
The first title, “The Doll’s House,” technically states that the house belongs to the doll. As a result, a larger emphasize is put on house, giving an impression of importance. We see in multiple parts of the book that this title is supported. For example, when Nora calls her children doll babies, this examples provides ample evidence that the “Doll” in the title refers to Nora. Additionally, there are scenes where Nora actually looks like a doll. In Act 3, Nora is dressed in clothing that seems almost perfect (like a doll’s). As a result, the reader begins to read the play in terms of Nora. Due to all these events, the reader believes that the doll IS Nora.
On the other hand, when the play is titled “The Doll House”, more emphasis is put on the word “house,” demanding the reader to ask, “Why is the house so important?” When one sees this title, the play explains that the house could represent the relationship between Nora and Torvald. It is fake and artificial. Even in other events in the play, fake items are exhibited. For instance, Nora is known to have committed forgery. As a result, one must question, which title best suits the play and which title gives the most in-depth interpretation?
On another note, I continued to read A Thousand Splendid Suns. The key descriptions caught my imagination by surprise. Although fictional, the intense imagery and factual background, the author brings this story to life. About a young girl whose mother has committed suicide and her father, ashamed of her daughter, A Thousand Splendid Suns brings a realization of Afghanistan to other countries around the world and especially the Unites States of America. Due to media and other sources, we are driven to believe the horrors in Afghanistan; however, we never fully comprehend the situation because we never actually see the horrors that occur. This novel brings out those horrors that are part of an amazing story and most of all, an amazing history. Even though we wish that these melodramatic events would never or have never occurred, they actually have. Despite our prayers for world peace and tranquility, events such as those shown in this magnificent novel are true stories to thousands in this country. A Thousand Splendid Suns is real.
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I believe you meant to say A Doll's House / A Doll House. Adding a 'the' changes the entire perception of the play, at least in my opinion. If the story follows a doll house and its inhabitants, it suggests that this play merely documents one instance of such relationships. There are more Tovalds and Noras out there, and that is exactly what Ibsen planned. He sought to comment on the nature of human society rather than the nature of feminism. Whereas if the word 'the' precedes the doll house in the title, it can be discarded as an isolated incident. Meaning these sort of marital interactions would be a rarity. However, this is exactly the opposite of what Ibsen intended when writing this play.
ReplyDeleteI know this is a relatively small issue, proabably due to a simple slip of the mind. But I think it is something that needs to distinguished. I could just point out that you made a mistake, but I think there is a profound reasoning behind the title of Ibsen's play. (Sorry for totally dominating your post)