Nora Pathetic Character

445 Words1 Page

Similar to Ethan Frome, Nora Helmer is also the pathetic protagonist in A Dollhouse written by Henrik Ibsen. Nora perceives her life and relationship as something totally different than what they actually are. Nora's perception of her husband and her life are the push factors to her tragic outcome. Nora fits the description of a pathetic protagonist because she is relatively passive and unable to understand her suffering until the very end of the play. Hernandez 3 For instance, Nora perceives Torvald's displays of demeaning and condescending attitude as a sign of fondness. Nora is naive enough to regard her pet names, such as "lark", "spendthrift", "obstinate little person" from Torvald as terms of endearment instead of terms to name her as the inferior. Nora is dependent on Torvald, she strives for his attention and love much like a child does to their parent. Torvald's and Nora's relationship more closely resembles a father/daughter relationship, rather than a husband/wife relationship. Nora aims "... to be able to keep the house beautifully and have everything just as Torvald likes it." To the audience it is known that Torvald is the superior but Nora is blissfully ignorant of this due to the fact …show more content…

Nora lives her life in a fantasy world, where she believes that Torvald as her husband, will save her. Nora expects Helmer to carry out his actions when he states, "Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life's blood, and everything, for your sake." Even Nora's view on maternal responsibilities is nothing but playing games with the children and purchasing the prettiest outfits while the maid takes on the more realistic motherly role. Nora is unable to look beneath the veil until the very end of the play to realize that she is simply a doll playing in a doll's

Show More
Related

  • The Unrecognized Dimensions of Nora

    1499 Words  | 3 Pages

    Upon the first glance of Torvald and Nora’s relationship, Nora is returning from a day of Christmas shopping. She is acknowledged by her husband’s greetings of belittling pet names that he uses in an inconspicuous thus unnoticed form of verbal oppression and a verbal stake to claim her as his property “But if Helmer considers Nora his property, as he apparently does, Nora encourages him to do so. To him, she calls herself his little squirrel and his lark” (Dukore 121). These actions are not Nora’s fault, it appears Nora does not fight his degrading pet names because she knows no difference and also it benefits her in the ability to manipulate Torvald w...

    Read More

  • Essay On Feminism In A Doll's House

    767 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nora is perceived as a helpless women, who goes out and wastes money that was earned by her husband. To Torvald, Nora is merely a plaything, which could be what the title of the play, "A Doll House", was hinting at. He found her helplessness to be attractive, because he was the one that was in control. For instance, when they received the Bond from Krogstad, Torvolld said, "I wouldn't be a man if this feminine helplessness didn't make you twice as attractive to me" followed by "It's as if she belongs to him in two ways now: in a sense he's given her fresh ...

    Read More

  • A Doll's House: The Analysis of Nora and Her Case of Leaving Her Family.

    1062 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Henrik Ibesen's play A Doll House, Nora Helmer struggles with telling her husband, Torvald Helmer, the truth about a loan she receives for them to go to Italy when he was sick. Consequently, when Torvald learns of the news he instantly insults Nora and declares that she has "ruined [his] happiness" (Ibesen 93). However, when Torvald tries to dismiss his insults after receiving a note that her contract was revoked, she does not accept his apologizes and decides to leave Torvald and her children to "make sense of [her]self and everything around [her]" (Ibesen 100). Her selfish decision to leave makes her a bad wife and mother, but she there are a few more characteristics that makes her a bad wife. The characteristics that Nora shows in the story are her dishonest, her individualism, and the unfortunate failings of the father figures during in her life.

    Read More

  • Torvald and Nora in in Ibsen's A Doll's House

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    Torvald is not only demanding mentally and physically, but also financially.  He does not trust Nora with money. He feels that she is incapable and too immature to handle a matter of such importance.  Torvald sees Nora as a child. She is forever his little "sparrow" or "squirrel".  On the rare occasion that Torvald does give Nora some money, he worries that she will waste it on candy, pastry or something else of Childish and useless value.  Nora's duties, in general, are restricted to caring for the children, doing housework, and working on her needlepoint.  But overall, Nora's most important responsibility is to please Torvald. This makes her role similar to that of a slave.

    Read More

  • Investigation of Power in Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’

    1478 Words  | 3 Pages

    He uses many imperatives and speaks to her in the 3rd person. The difference in each characters’ use of language is a personification of the power they have in their relationship. While Nora uses general descriptors indicating a lack of finite knowledge. Torvald delivers commands in a belittling way, a constant affirmation. to his wife (and himself) that he is the man of the house, and.

    Read More

  • Use of Imagery in A Doll's House

    653 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagery symbolically guides the process of self-emancipation for Nora, the protagonist of A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen. Objects like the macaroons, the lamp, the Christmas tree, and costumes represent the movement towards freedom of a woman who was a victim of society. Ibsen painted Nora as a youthful and lovely creature who was brought through life treated as a plaything by both her father and then her husband, Torvald. She must break society's unwritten laws.  Although the consequences of her actions are initially minor, they start her along the path towards crisis when she realizes her position and the injustice of it. Through Ibsen's use of symbolism, objects in the play echo her process of anguish to liberation.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Becoming Independent in A Doll's House

    851 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nora Helmer was a delicate character and she relied on Torvald for her identity. This dependence that she had kept her from having her own personality. Yet when it is discovered that Nora only plays the part of the good typical housewife who stays at home to please her husband, it is then understandable that she is living not for herself but to please others. From early childhood Nora has always held the opinions of either her father or Torvald, hoping to please them. This mentality makes her act infantile, showing that she has no ambitions of her own. Because she had been pampered all of her life, first by her father and now by Torvald, Nora would only have to make a cute animal sound to get what she wanted from Torvald, “If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very, prettily” (Ibsen 34) she said.

    Read More

  • “A Doll’s House”: Nora and Torvald as Husband and Wife

    1228 Words  | 3 Pages

    Through the course of the drama’s events, Nora finally realizes her position. Her childish mentality comes into question through a series of events that awakens her to her role as a wife, her position in society, and her individuality. Originally, from her father, and later with Torvald, she sees that she has been held back as an individual, "I have existed merely to preform tricks for you, Torvald. But you would have it so. You and Papa have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life (Isben 106).” In the climax of the play, Nora, with a renewed sense of self, slams the door and leaves her old life behind, seemingly to begin a new life without limitations.

    Read More

  • The Role Of Women In A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen

    1352 Words  | 3 Pages

    She is conscious of weakness and totally understands his need to feel in control. She therefore always humours him and helps him to feel that he takes all the important decision in their life in order to accomplish this, she knowingly plays out the role of a feeble scatterbrain. She is, however, quite capable of taking crucial action. When Torvald was desperately ill and needed a long recuperative journey to the south, he obdurately refused to borrow money. But Nora had to raise a loan behind her husband’s back from Krogstad by forging her father’s signature in the bond. As her father was also very ill, she forged his signature. Nora was so determined to save her husband that she committed fraud to do so. This preference shows that Nora is both courageous and persistent. She values love over the law. She will scarify herself for the family. Her purpose in life is to be happy for her husband and children. Nora did believe that she loved Torvold and was happy. She had a passionate and devoted heart that was willing to do almost anything for her husband. Nora is proud that she borrowed money to save her husband’s life without his knowing it. She thoughtfully helps him keep his proud image of himself as the head of the family. She knows that he loves her for being pretty and

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Pride And Prejudice And A Doll's House

    507 Words  | 2 Pages

    However, as the plot starts to unfold, Nora starts to take over the role that Torvald seemed to have. When Torvald becomes aware of how Nora borrowed money, he immediately worries more about his reputation than her. As he starts to realize that no one will ever find out about what Nora did, he forgives her and starts treating her as if she was his little puppy. He once again calls her pet names and tries to be affectionate. Unfortunately, when Nora tells Torvald that she is leaving, the power he once had

    Read More

  • The Struggle for Identity in A Doll’s House

    1479 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nora and Torvald's relationship, on the outside appears to be a happy. Nora is treated like a child in this relationship, but as the play progresses she begins to realize how phony her marriage is. Torvald sees Nora's only role as being the subservient and loving wife. He refers to Nora as "my little squirrel" (p.1565), "my little lark" (p.1565), or "spendthrift"(1565). To him, she is only a possession. Torvald calls Nora by pet-names and speaks down to her because he thinks that she is not intelligent and that she can not think on her own.

    Read More

  • Portrayal of Gender Roles in the 19th Century in Ibsen's A Doll's House

    915 Words  | 2 Pages

    Torvald even calls Nora pet names like "my sweet little lark" and "my squirrel”. These nicknames may seem harmless and cute, but in reality, the names actually show how little he thinks of her and how he’s the one harnessing the power in the relationship. When Torvald says "my little squirrel" he is suggesting that he in fact owns Nora and that she is second-rate to him, since she is seen as little and as a squirrel which are usually frightened, non-threatening creatures. Torvald sees women as both child-like, helpless creatures detached from reality and who are responsible for taking care of the chores and children while staying inside the house. Gender roles are also seen in the rules Torvald for Nora to follow.

    Read More

  • Character Analysis Of Nora In A Doll House

    1168 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nora is a dynamic character. When the play begins Nora is viewed and presented as a playful and carefree person. She seems to be more intent on shopping for frivolous things. But, as time goes on it becomes apparent that Nora actually has a certain amount of seriousness in her decisions and actions in dealing with the debt she incurred to save Torvald’s life. Nora’s openness in her friendship with Dr. Rank changes after he professes his affections toward her. Her restraint in dealing with him shows that Nora is a mature and intelligent woman. Nora shows courage, not seen previously, by manipulating her way around Krogstad and his threats to reveal her secret. After feeling betrayed by Torvald, Nora reveals that she is leaving him. Having

    Read More

  • Free Essay - Mrs. Linde and Nora in Ibsen's A Doll's House

    551 Words  | 2 Pages

    A contrasting difference in the characters, are shown not in the characters themselves, but the role that they play in their marriages. These women have different relationships with their husbands. Torvald and Nora have a relationship where there is no equality. To Torvald Nora is an object. Hence, she plays the submissive role in a society where the lady plays the passive role. Her most important obligation is to please Torvald, making her role similar to a slave. He too considers himself superior to her.

    Read More

  • Transformation of Nora in Henrik Isben's A Doll's House

    1301 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nora Helmer was a delicate character that had been pampered all of her life, by her father, and by Torvald. She really didn't have a care in the world. She didn't even have to care for the children; the maid would usually take care of that. In every sense of the word, she was your typical housewife. Nora never left the house, mostly because her husband was afraid of the way people would talk. It really wasn't her fault she was the way she was; it was mostly Torvald's for spoiling her. Nora relies on Torvald for everything, from movements to thoughts, much like a puppet that is dependent on its puppet master for all of its actions. Her carefree spirit and somewhat childish manners are shown throughout the play with statements such as, "Is that my little lark twittering out there?" (1). "Is it my little squirrel bustling about?" (2). A lark is a happy, carefree bird, and a squirrel is quite the opposite. If you are to squirrel away something, you were hiding or storing it, kind of like what Nora was doing with her bag of macaroons. It seems childish that Nora must hide things such as macaroons from her husband, but if she didn't and he found out, she would be deceiving him and going against his wishes which would be socially wrong.

    Read More

More about Nora Pathetic Character

Open Document