An Important Quote

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

Dr. Seuss

I read this quote and then I immediately thought of A Doll's House. Not only does it describe being true to yourself, but it illustrates speaking your mind. I feel that if you don't take chances in life, you will be a bore. :) If Nora did not follow her heart and she ended up staying with Torvald and the rest of the family, she would have been so unhappy for the remainder of her life. I agree with her final decision to leave. She really made the right choice and I am glad the play ended the way it did.  

An Important Quote

Because I am a woman, I must make unusual efforts to succeed.  If I fail, no one will say, "She doesn't have what it takes."  They will say, "Women don't have what it takes." 

 ~Clare Boothe Luce


This quote relates to A Doll's House because it has to do with women's rights. I feel that society has changed and that women are treated so much better than they used to be treated. In the time when the play takes place, Nora is not really even considered a human being. Torvald has countless pet names for her and he never calls her by her first name. I thought that was really ridiculous because he was not really trying to show her affection, he pretty much just wanted to show her that he was in charge of her. The quote connects because Nora had to work hard being a good mother and wife, and unfortunately, she couldn't handle it. I don't know if I would ever be able to take that kind of life either. It just goes to show that I am so happy to be living in this time period. Women are not just mothers who stay at home, cook, clean, and take care of the children. They are so much more.   

:)

A Significant Poem

Finding Your Identity

If you love yourself completely for whom you really are,
nothing will deter you from seeking your own star.
Finding your identity is to love your inner soul,
this should be a priority; this should be your goal.

 

Don't become concerned what others think or say,
pursue to find your truth, this is the only way.
Finding your identity strengthens your belief,
your future can be changed to give you sweet relief.

 

You might be overcome by rules that others make,
release these misconceptions; it's better for your sake.
Finding your identity frees the bonds that bind,
allowing you your freedom that you could never find.

 

Building up self-confidence is not an easy task,
but once you have achieved this, it will always last.
Finding your identity will encourage you to trust,
in your sacred power, it's such a blessed plus.

 

Soon you will encounter as awareness grows,
your own special gifts, this you feel and know.
Finding your identity expands your need to learn,
how to be independent; this is a key concern.

Then life as you once knew it will change over time,
self-worth is so important so you can start to shine.
Finding your identity will give you self-esteem,
it hides deep within you; it's where it's always been.




This poem illustrates the idea that being yourself is the only way to successfully live your life. It talks about how you should ignore what others may see you as, and instead only care about how you feel about yourself as a person. The first stanza goes into detail about the fact that this whole concept should be a goal in your life. I completely concur with these statements. Being a teenager, I have heard "peer pressure speech" so many times and "BE YOURSELF!" is kind of permanently in my brain thanks to parents, teachers, and society in general. I feel that the third stanza relates the most to A Doll's House because the first line ("You might be overcome by rules that others make...") obviously connects to Torvald and how he was over-bearing. Also, the end of that stanza ("Finding your identity frees the bonds that bind, allowing you your freedom that you could never find...") fits perfectly with Nora because as the protagonist, the audience can clearly see her feelings and how she was happy to have left Torvald in the end. She is free to be her newly confident self and she is no longer tied down.

A Meaningful Song

                    I Decide~Lindsay Lohan

SONG!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDwA7SXsJ28

Don't think that you can tell me what to think

I'm the one who knows what's good for me

And I'm stating my independence

Gonna take the road I'm gonna take

And I'm gonna make my own mistakes

It's my life

I decide

I decide how I live

I decide who I love

Choice is mine

And no one gets to make my mind up

I decide

I decide where I go

What I need

Who I know

I'm the one who's runnin' my life

I decide

I decide

Don't think you're ever gonna hold me down

Couldn't do it then can't do it now

I'm kickin' down all the fences

I'm gonna do it all and do too much

And if I mess the whole thing up

It's my ride

I decide

I decide how I live

I decide who I love

Choice is mine

And no one gets to make my mind up

I decide

I decide where I go

Where I sleep

Who I know

I'm the one who's runnin' my life

I decide

I decide

I'm taking my own chances

And I'm finding my own answers

I'm only answering to me

And that's the way it's gonna be

I decide

Oh yeah

I decide

I decide

As soon as I heard this song, I took it to heart and thought of A Doll's House. It connects to the play because the girl in the song is taking a stand in her life. It could possibly deal with any experience but she is telling this certain person that she does not want to be pushed around any longer. She wants to make her own decisions and she does not care what the consequences are going to be. I agree with this completely because you SHOULD be making mistakes because it is YOUR own life. One specific issue that is present in the play specifially and in the song is the idea that women want certain things in a relationship. Nora thought she was in love with Torvald, but she ended up just wanting her independence all along. She was sick of not living her own life becasue she was not able to enjoy simple pleasures including eating macaroons and swearing just because Torvald did not approve of it. He treated her like a child, not an equal. He constantly "played her like a puppet" and when she left, readers might have thought of her as a coward. Her children were left with Torvald and she stated she would never return. Honestly, I was shocked by this decision, but then when I considered the consistent struggles and stress, I understood her act to leave. I thought it was interesting how Torvald kind of denied doing anything wrong when she explained how she was feeling. She basically would not take no for an answer and she was determind to turn her ways of living around: "I'm taking my own chances. And I'm finding my own answers. I'm only answering to me. And that's the way it's gonna be."

A Doll's House Introduction

We just finished reading A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen in 8th period World Literature! I really enjoyed the play and there are many themes and motifs that are illustrated. I will be discussing 4 modern day examples that are anchored by the play! They include a meaningful song, a significant poem, and two important quotes.

ENJOY! :)

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart."

~ Confucius