A Doll’s House Group

Topic: Stocking Symbolism

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1

bethanyjeffress

What do Nora's stockings symbolize?  How does this contribute to the play?

2

ero-chibi-chan

I think they symbolize something intimate about Nora. It contributes to the play by showing how she can be honest with Rank and not as much with her husband. She mentioned how she hadn't even shown them to Torvald yet. After Dr. Rank saw them, he even asked what else he was allowed to see, which Nora was not offended by whatsoever. This scene is also an example of Jung's persona and shadow. Rank is currently showing his shadow by hitting on Nora, a married woman, instead of playing the gentleman. Nora is showing her persona by remaining playful, like a child.

3

ranr

Her stockings are another way Nora rebels against Torvald and, in doing so, against society. First, this shows that she can be her true self to many except her own husband. This scene also brings out her child-like characteristics because she takes it as a playful matter. She rebels against society because at that time a woman did not show her stockings to her husband's best friend. A woman was expected to keep her image and her rightful place by being perfect in everything. She did this as to go against her husband's wishes and did something that at the time people saw as improper for a married woman. She flirts with Dr. Rank and leaves him wanting for more. This contributes to the play in that it shows that as the play goes on she keeps enjoying doing more and more things that she is not supposed to do and it shows how her character changes.

4

mewbank

Stockings often imply an idea of femininity and classiness. When Nora shows her stockings to Dr. Rank, she creates the opposite suggestion. Nora's almost sleazy portrayal of the stockings implies her rebellious attitude towards her seemingly "perfect" marriage. Nora desires independence and by flirting with Dr. Rank (using the stockings) displays her impending separation with Torvald.

5

twilson1739

I believe that the stockings represent the ending of Torvald and Nora's marriage. This is the first time that Nora is interested in another man besides Torvald and she seems excited about it. Her initial intentions could have been to get Dr. Rank's money, but as the scene progressed, it seemed that the relationship meant something more than just a way to pay back the debt that Nora owed. This could have been the turning point where she realized she no longer needed Torvald to be happy, for it foreshadowed the end of the play where Nora walks out on her family. 

6

dannyclarke1

Nora's stockings symbolize temptation in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House.  Nora is a beautiful women, and she is fully aware of her stunning features.  Nora enoys flaunting her beauty, especially to Torvald.  Nora often dances and dresses up for Torvald in different costumes.  Torvald clearly takes pride in Nora's beauty and he also enjoys showing off Nora as his"trophy wife."  Nora, however, uses her stockings to rebel against Torvald.  In Act II of A Doll's House, Dr. Rank and Nora exchange in a intimate and revealing conversation while she is wearing her stockings.  Although Nora remains loyal to Torvald, her stocking represent her intimacy and desire to rebel against him.

7

lleander

Stockings are called an undergarment for a reason- they are meant to be hidden and are not the focus of at outfit, especially for women in the 19th century. As Nora teases Dr. Rank with her stockings, she is in a way showing this man a part of herself that she keeps hidden from society and especially from her husband. She exposes her intimate side to Dr. Rank since she cannot with Torvald. This is Nora's way of breaking the dress code 19th century's society has enforced on her for so long.

8

austinjohns

The stocking show that Nora feels comfortable when around Dr. Rank because he shows the characteritics of a woman. He can relate and understand women in a different way tham Torvald and his superficial beliefs. These beliefs do not allow him to understand a stocking and understand Nora's feelings.

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