Symbols and Symbolism - A Comparison of Nicknames in A Dolls House and Major Barbara :: comparison compare contrast essays

Symbolism of Nicknames in A Dolls House and Major Barbara The use of nicknames in literature is an crucial tool in which the author can provide insight into the poses of the characters toward each other and to provide illumination as to the nature of specific characters. Two such(prenominal) pieces of literature in which these attitudes and illumination can be evidenced are A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen and Major Barbara by Bernard Shaw. The attitudes of the characters in A Dolls House, more(prenominal) specifically Torvald Helmer and the maid Anne-Marie, toward Nora can be evidenced with the names by which she is referred. In Major Barbara, the names by which the characters call each other non nevertheless prove their personal attitudes toward each other, but also provide classical reference by which we can better understand the characters. In A Dolls House, Torvald Helmers attitude toward his wife Nora can be seen in the ways in which he refers to her. In line 11 of the first base act, we come across the first instance of Torvalds bird references to Nora with Is that my little lark twittering out there? This reference is the first of many in which Torvald refers to Nora as a lark. Often this referencing is preceded by flyspeck terms such as little and sweet, little. Torvald also refers to Nora as a squirrel, a spendthrift, a songbird, and a goose, these terms also preceded with a diminutive. The significance of this nicknaming is to show Torvalds attitude toward Nora. Torvald sees Nora as small, sweet, unobtrusive and therefore easily controlled. This position is one he would like Nora to continue to occupy. In line 257, Torvald refers to Nora as my richest treasure denoting his attitude toward her as his possession. Noras nurse, and the nurse of her children as well, Anne-Marie, shows her attitude of Nora as well. In the beginning of the second act, we find Nora in a conversation with Anne-Marie in which Anne-Marie refers to Nora as dud Nora, little Nora, and poor little Nora. It seems to everyone that Nora not only acts as a child, but is seen as one as well. It is here we realize it is not only the man being overbearing and keeping the woman in what he sees as her rightful position, but the maid also contributes to the indoctrination.