Growth from Degradation
“A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez and A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen seem to tell very different stories. However, they have connected themes of incorrect perception throughout. This theme is communicated by the stories’ characters and their actions. As the protagonists, Nora and the old man, are wrongly perceived, the intentions and heart of other characters are revealed. Selfish perception degrades characters in both A Doll House and “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children,” causing them to grow into themselves and form their own self-sufficient goals.
Throughout the story of A Doll House Nora is constantly perceived as trivial by other characters, especially her husband, leading her to finally stand up for herself and set her own goals. Torvald constantly refers to Nora as little or childish. He says things like, “All right, you little goose” and “she’s become his wife and his child as well” (Ibsen II. 1788; III. 1810). These phrases work to make Nora feel less than her husband. The comparison of a goose and a child along with the word little create images of something silly and immature. These words from Torvald show his perception of Nora as someone without highly intelligent thought and capabilities. Contrary to his belief, Nora has done a great deal for him and their family on her own without his knowledge. Torvald again shows his selfish perception of Nora when he finally learns of her forgery and what Krogstad has threatened to do with it. He only thinks of his own reputation and standing, not considering at all the consequences his wife may face. He shows no true love for Nora. He cares only for his social standing and, in his eyes, she has ruined it. He forbids Nora to see the children and practically to be his wife, saying she is incapable of doing so (III. 1808-1809). This serves as another degrading perception of Nora. Torvald believes that her mind is too trivial to solve or even help in solving the problem they have at hand. His selfish thoughts that only he as a husband can contain such problems, which could hurt his fragile reputation, show how little he thinks of Nora. His selfish belittling of her is most greatly shown in his actions throughout this section and is prominent even in his so-called forgiveness. Early critics of A Doll House agreed with Torvald’s degradation towards Nora. Ibsen, however, thought his character of Nora to be the opposite of what they believed. Joan Templeton writes, “Anyone who claims that Ibsen thought Nora was a silly, hysterical, or selfish woman is either ignoring or misrepresenting the plain truth. . . that Ibsen admired, even adored, Nora Helmer (34). Ibsen created Nora not to be a trivial, small-minded character but one that showed strength and resilience. Not only his idea of her communicates this but her change in goals at the end of the play does as well. In protest of her mistreatment, Nora leaves her home, husband, and children behind. She leaves with the goal to discover her own purpose in life (Ibsen III. 1879). Here her independence is finally gained. Her goals become her own as she commits to discovering security in herself. Despite the constant degradation of her husband and real-world critics, Nora’s decision shows her true character of a strong, independent mind.
The selfish desires of characters in “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children” drive the man to regain his strength and fly away. The old man’s intentions for coming to Pelayo’s village are not explicit. However, the characters within the story believe he is there for a number of reasons. Many believe he is an angel sent to heal their many illnesses and other problems. This belief can be seen in this quote from the story, “The most unfortunate invalids on earth came in search of health” (Marquez 452). The people’s views show their selfishness as they came from all over, believing the angel was there specifically to do something for them. They perceive the old man to be their personal healer when they have no proof to make them believe so. Pelayo’s family also use the man for their own gain. They use his popularity as a way to make money, allowing them to have a new life contrary to their old, poor ones (454). They also perceive the man based on their selfish wants. Again, they want their needs, or even wants, met and will use the man to do so. It is because they only care for themselves that they can move on from the man so quickly. He becomes no longer useful to them. Despite the selfish view of the people, the old man regains his strength and is finally able to leave the town (455). The old man’s decision to leave shows that strength to form one’s own decisions can be gained in spite of selfish perception and degradation.
Throughout these two stories, characters overcome the selfish views of others. Nora stands up to her belittling husband and leaves to find a new, self-sufficient purpose. The old man strengthens himself, despite the townspeople’s selfish degradation, and flies away to a new place. These strong protagonists show that growth and self-sufficient goals can be created in spite of selfish perception and the degradation it creates.
Works Cited
Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll House. 1879. Translated by Rolf Fjelde. The Norton Introduction to Literature, edited by Kelly J. Mays, 15th ed., Norton, 2025, pp. 1765-1814.
Marquez, Gabriel Garacia. “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children.” 1968. Translated by Gregory Rabassa. The Norton Introduction to Literature, edited by Kelly J. Mays, 15th ed., Norton, 2025, pp. 450-55.
Templeton, Joan. “The Doll House Backlash: Criticism, Feminism, and Ibsen.” PMLA, vol. 104, no. 1, Jan. 1989, pp. 28-40. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/462329.
Pensworth 