Analysing Nora’s Comment to Mrs. Linde :: A Dolls House Marriage Henrik Ibsen Essays

Analysing Noras Comment to Mrs. Linde Noras comment to Mrs. Linde that Torvald doesnt like to see sewingin his lieu indicates that Torvald likes the idea and the appearanceof a beautiful, carefree wife who does not have to work but ratherserves as a showpiece. As Nora explains to Mrs. Linde, Torvald likeshis home to seem happy and welcoming. Mrs. Lindes response thatNora too is skilled at making a home look happy because she is herfathers young lady suggests that Noras father regarded her in a waysimilar to Torvaldas a means to giving a home its proper appearance.Torvalds sight on his wifes role in their home is his definingcharacter characteristics. His unrelenting treatment of Nora as a dollindicates that he is ineffective to develop or grow. As Norasunderstanding of the people and events around her develops, Torvaldsremains stationary. He is the only character who continues to believein the charade, likely because he is the only main character in theplay that does not keep s ecrets or harbour any hidden complexity. Eachof the other charactersNora, Mrs. Linde, Krogstad, Dr. rangehas atsome point kept secrets, hidden a true love, or plotted for one reasonor another.Noras use of Torvalds pet names for her to win his cooperation is anact of manipulation on her part. She knows that calling herself hislittle bird, his squirrel, and his skylark, and thus conformingto his desired standards will make him more volitionally to give in toher wishes. At first, Noras interaction with Dr. Rank iscorrespondingly manipulative. When she flirts with him by showing herstockings, it seems that she hopes to lure Dr. Rank and then persuadehim to speak to Torvald about keeping Krogstad on at the bank. Yetafter Dr. Rank confesses that he loves her, Nora suddenly shuts downand refuses to ask her favour. She has developed some moral honesty.Despite her hopeless need, she realizes that she would be takingadvantage of Dr. Rank by capitalizing on his love for her.When Nora expla ins that Dr. Ranks poor health owes to his fatherspromiscuity, for the second clip we come across the idea that moralcorruption transfers from parent to child. (In Act One, Torvald arguesthat young criminals result from a household full of lies.) Thesestatements clarify Noras remonstrate and her refusal to interact with herchildren when she feels like a criminal. They also reveal that both