A Doll's House

What is the main idea of the play "A Doll's House"?

The main idea is the possibility of a woman (and especially a daughter, mother, and wife) being accepted as an equal by the men in her life.

As Nora explains in the last act, throughout her entire life, she's been under male control. She went from her father's house to Torvald's house. She's always kept her mind hidden and played the charming little girl for male approval. The main time that she acts with independent focus, she signs a document that it is not legal for her to sign, in order to save her husband. Rather than being grateful, he's abusive, and this wakes her to the need to be independent.

I think that the main idea in A Doll's House, which centers around Nora, is about independence.  Nora has an oppressive husband who thinks of her as a child.  The theme draws attention to how capable women are in their own right.  Nora, has successfully borrowed money to help her sick husband, she has kept this a secret from him.  She realizes that at the end of the book, she must go out on her own, alone, without her children.

The courage of women in this period to prove, in the presence of enormous prejudice against a woman's right to individuality of thought, that they are capable individuals separate and distinct from their husbands, brothers or fathers.

Women are viable citizens who can make valuable contributions to society, they do not have to be protected and cared for by men all their lives.    

Another main focus is being true to oneself.  Nora is not able to be her true self in her own home.  She is oppressed and her needs and desires neglected by her husband.  She is forced to hide things from her husband.  She finally can take no more and decides to leave.

I second the idea of freedom and identity.  Nora is being suppressed and in a world which encourages the woman to just shut up and take it, she rebels.  Had her husband respected her and given her a little wiggle room, the marriage would have been a lot more productive and healthy.

Nora lived in a time where rebellion from women went against the norm. You can tell this from the way she behaves in the beginning. She keeps trying to please her husband and is practically a 'servant' to him. As the play progresses, she sees that its not the way things should be and snaps. The fact that she leaves her husband and her children would be a scandal. That's why when they filmed the play, the ending was rewritten to avoid an outburst from the public. However, I think that if the ending had been left as it was, women might have gained their rights earlier, especially because of the media.