A-doll-s-house Quote by Elizabeth Hardwick
““Nevertheless the severance is rather casual and it drops a stain on our admiration of Nora. Ibsen has put the leaving of her children on the same moral and emotional level as the leaving of her husband and we cannot, in our hearts, asssent to that. It is not only the leaving but the way the play does not have time for suffering, changes of heart. Ibsen has been too much a man in the end. He has taken the man's practice, if not his stated belief, that where self-realization is concerned children shall not be an impediment.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Author's Voice, 1970
Ibsen treats children’s departure with the same gravity as a spouse’s, highlighting societal expectations of self‑realization over familial duty.
In simple terms: Children’s leaving is shown as equally serious as marital separation.
Key Takeaway
Recognize personal growth may clash with family ties.
Themes
family
self‑realization
gender roles
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- parenting decisions
- career changes
- marriage counseling
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
moral conflict
emotional sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- Can personal ambition coexist with family responsibilities?
- How does society judge self‑realization differently for men and women?
A Different Perspective
Societal norms often pressure individuals to prioritize personal ambition.
