Absolutism versus Relativism

    In Isben’s “A Doll’s House” two different ends of a political spectrum are shown: absolutism and relativism.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines absolutism as “advocacy of a rule by absolute standards or principles.”  This means a person believes in set standards about society and if someone breaks these standards, he takes on a bad reputation.  The opposite of this view is relativism. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary also defines relativism as “a view that ethical truths depend on the individuals and groups holding them.”  This denotes that under certain circumstances, a person may break the standards of society if it is for the better.  Isben contrasts these two ideas in his play.

    Torvald Helmer, Nora’s husband, represents the absolutism end of the political spectrum.  Torvald believes things can only be done a specific way and if someone tries a different way, he looks down upon them.  At the end of Act III, Nora realizes she does not desire to be Torvald’s doll anymore, but she wants to leave him and find her true self.  Torvald abhors this thought.  Torvald believes in the traditional society, where the woman is a housewife and cares for the children.  When Nora informs him of her change, he replies,  “Before all else you are a wife and a mother” (III, 1121).  Torvald greatly disagrees with Nora’s decision to leave him because it opposes his beliefs.

    Nora thinks the extreme opposite of her husband; she is a relativist.  Nora believes a person can break the rules of society if it is for better.  Throughout the play, Nora acts as Torvald’s doll, always listening to him and repeating her same acts day after day, which is what he wants.  Nora finally realizes she is sick of acting like his doll, and decides to leave him to find her real place in society.  She tells him, “I believe that I am first and foremost a human being, like you-or anyway, that I must try to become one.  I know most people think as you do, Torvald, and I know there’s something of the sort to be found in books…I must think things out for myself, and try to find my own answer” (III, 1121).  She continues to explain to him how she is a real person who deserves a chance in society rather than existing to “perform tricks” for him (III, 1121)  She shows her relativism by contradicting Torvald and going into society to better herself, and find out about her true self.

    These two contrasting opinions make for the crisis at the end of the play.  Torvald’s ‘everything is the way it is and nothing can change’ attitude makes Nora realize how much she dislikes her life.  Nora feels the opposite of Torvald and by the end of the play she wants to leave him.  Absolutism and relativism are shown through two main characters in this play, and the play is centered on their opposing beliefs.

Annotated Bibliography

Ibsen, Henrik.  “A Doll’s House.”  World Literature, Revised Edition.  Austin:  Holt, Rinehart,
and Wiston,    1998.  1071-1124.

The textbook contains excerpts from different literatures from around the world.  Editors include in “A Doll’s House” background information on the author, the time period, and characteristics of the characters.  Each act is followed by review questions.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary.  Online edition.

This is an online collection of all the words in the English language.  It not only gives the definition of the word but also other forms, the antonyms and pronunciation of the words.

The background of this page is to symbolize Nora in "A Doll's House."  Confused on what to do do with her life, she seems to run in circles.  The Turbonium VW Beetles, are driving in crazy circles, with mass confusion.

Laurel Kloth 6th Period
(PS:  I couldn't get it to indent right).