The Relationship Between Nora And Dr. Doll In A Doll's House

“Do You Know Me?” In life some people wear masks never revealing their true nature to even their closest friends or spouse; however, upon removal of the mask the revelation of the true person that lies beneath can be shocking. Dominated women are more likely to wear a mask in order to hide the reality of their dark, oppressive world in which they live. This allows the women to maintain what little self-esteem they have left, while at the same time they are screaming on the inside yearning for freedom. A prime example of such a woman would be, Nora Helmer, in Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll House, she wears the mask of a submissive, loving, housewife but in reality she only wishes for freedom and independence. Even though, her husband, Torvald

Rank is one that appears to have the most honesty. Dr. Rank may be the only person to see Nora for whom she is, their visits together shows a side of her that not even Torvald is able to see until the play’s end. The communication between them has an air of equality in which he views Nora as an adult with valuable opinions, and Dr. Rank, being so taken with her, hangs on her every word. Therefore, revelation of their close relationship occurs when Nora introduces Dr. Rank to Kristine and he replies, “Well now, that’s a name much heard in this house” unlike when she is introduced to Torvald and he has no idea who she is he just assumes Kristine is a childhood friend of Nora’s (Ibsen 796). For the first time in Nora’s life she has found someone to communicate with and there is significance in their conversation for both of them. This type of relationship sheds light on the fact that Nora and Torvald have an extreme lack of communication, one which Nora would love to achieve but has no idea how to remove the mask she has worn for so long. With Dr. Rank being a rich, sickly widower Nora could have taken advantage of his love, and asked him for money, but she refrains which presents a certain amount of moral quality to her sketchy character. Therefore, Dr. Rank “plays a pivotal role in her choice to leave her family and in the long-term success of her liberation” (DeVaull 275). By the end of the play it is implied that upon

Thus, Nora was reared to be submissive to her husband, caretaker of their children, and to maintain a spirit of grace and beauty throughout. Consequently, education, equality, and involvement in financial matters were unnecessary for a married woman to partake of. Although, when one gets a taste of freedom and independence it burns within their soul until the fire is quenched. The revelation of Nora’s unhappiness for more than eight years was a bitter shock to Torvald unfortunately too late for him to change and learn to love the person and not the idea of her. Still, one cannot love a person they do not know. Relationships that are built on deceit and manipulation will never stand the test of time, honesty friendship, and equality are the ingredients to a successful