Character Analysis: A Doll's House

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In the play A Doll House, by Henrik Ibsen, Nora and Torvald’s marriage seems to have been torn apart by Krogstad’s extortion plot, but in reality their marriage would have ended even without the events in the play. Torvald’s obsession with his public appearance will eventually cause him to break the marriage. Nora’s need for an identity will ultimately cause her to leave Torvald even without Krogstad’s plot. Lastly the amount of deception and dishonesty between Torvald and Nora would have resulted in the same conclusion sooner or later. In this essay I will argue that Nora and Torvald’s relationship would have ended even without Krogstad’s extortion plot. Torvald is extremely cautious about how he is perceived by other people. He would do
Even though it might seem that without Krogstad’s extortion plan, Nora would have never developed her need for an identity but she has shown signs for a new identity well before Krogstad tried to extort Nora for his job back. In the beginning of the play, Nora is already seen to be defying Torvald’s wishes by eating some macaroons. Not only that but when Torvald reminds Nora about last Christmas and how Nora “locked [herself] up every evening, till way past midnight, making flowers for the Christmas tree” (1.125-127). Nora told Torvald that she “wasn’t bored at all” (1.129). This small act of defiance towards Torvald might seem like nothing special but it is a subtle hint that Nora no longer wants to be Torvald’s plaything. Another instance of defiance happens right after, when Nora discuss her loan with Mrs. Linde. Nora was extremely ecstatic when she brought up her loan of Four thousand, eight hundred kroner. She even describes the loan as something she is “proud and happy about” (1.316). Not only was Torvald’s wish of having no debt defied by Nora’s own action but she has a sense of pride and believes that her actions were justified without any input from Torvald. Nora taking out the loan was her first step in approaching maturity and independence and it instilled in Nora’s mind a need for an identity different from Torvald’s. Krogstad’s extortion plot probably sped
Both Nora and Torvald are living in a world of lies and both of them are not honest with each other and themselves. In the beginning of the play Torvald and Nora are portrayed to be a perfect couple with a perfect life. Nora is seen returning home after a day of shopping and is greeted by her husband lovingly. Even though they seemed to have had some financial troubles in the past, Torvald just receive a new job as a bank manager and everything seemed to be alright, but behind the scenes nothing is alright. Nora has taken out a loan, which is something Torvald would have forbidden. Not only that, but she deceives Torvald by claiming that it was money from her father and she continues to deceive him to make her payments. Another reason for why Nora is keeping Torvald out of her secret is because she needed something “to fall back on” (1.371) something that is very strange if they really loved each other. Torvald also deceives Nora in many ways such as claiming he is much more honourable than Krogstad even though he would also do the same thing if he was in the same situation. Not only that but he unjustifiably fires Krogstad just to silence him from telling people his nickname from school since his public appearance is his greatest priority. These lies will eventually untangle even without the help of Krogstad since both characters

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