Analyzing the play 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen from a critical Essay

Analyzing the play 'A Doll's House' by Henrik Ibsen from a critical psychoanalytical perspective - Essay Example In the story A Doll’s House, Henrik Isben skillfully uses figurative language, symbolism, and irony to create a literary movement through which the reader is able to identify with the plight of the oppressed female. Figurative language includes the use of devices such as similes, and metaphors. Figurative language becomes increasingly important in terms of the main conflict within the story. Helmer describes his wife by using the metaphor of â€Å"little squirrel† which implies that Nora moves frantically around completing task with no overall goal or intention (Isben, 1889). This implies that her actions are meaningless, and insofar as Nora’s actions are an extension of herself, she feels as if he is calling her existence meaningless. This is evident in the fact that Nora metaphorically refers to herself as a â€Å"doll-wife† (Isben, 1889). A doll implies that the object has no control over their own actions and is directed by the will of the person pulli ng the strings. This trend can be identified in modern society, evident in the fact that women produce 80 percent of the food on the planet, but receive less than 10 percent of agricultural assistance. In terms of the psychoanalytic approach, Nora’s desire to have a sense of self control forced her to disassociate herself from her husband and began to paint (Isben, 1889).