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A Doll's House Compare And Contrast Essay

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A Doll’s House: Character Comparison and Contrast

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House contains a cast of deeply complex characters that emulate the 1800’s societal norms that they belong to. Two characters that compare and contrast each other throughout the play are Nora Helmer and Kristine Linde. Nora and Kristine are similar because they both display a sense of independence. Their personalities differ as Nora presents herself as inexperienced, while Kristine is more grounded in reality. The two women further differ in their view of the men in their life.The actions of these two women bring their similarities and differences out for the audience to see. Nora and Kristine are very independent for women in the 1800’s. Kristine is a widow of three years, and has yet to remarry. She touches on this in Act I, while speaking to Nora about being a widow. Kristine explains that she has “No one to work for, and yet obliged to be always on the lookout for chances.”( Act I, pg. 762) While this is negative, Kristine wouldn’t have these worries if she were dependent on someone else. Nora wishes that she be free of her husband and children, as she perceives them to restrict her from being able to grow as a person. Nora states, “...I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being...” …show more content…

Nora carries herself as a childish, and naive person who has not had many life experiences, while Kristine prides herself on being down-to-Earth, and reasonable person. This shows in Act I, Scene I as Nora discusses Torvald’s new position at the bank and Kristine congratulates her, and states that “...it would be delightful to have what one needs” (pg. 761). Nora replies with “No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money.” (pg. 761) This exchange displays Nora’s materialistic mindset, while shining a light on Kristine’s maturity as she places necessities as a priority above personal

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