A Doll's House Foil Essay

Below The Surface
Oftentimes people are misled by the looks and appearances of things, when in reality, these things are just hiding what is truly going on below the surface. Famous Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s realistic drama, A Doll’s House, is a play written in 1879 demonstrating what life was like in this time period, and how narrative roles were changing. This is shown through many of the main characters, as well as the foil characters. In A Doll’s House, main character Nora Helmer is a naive, submissive housewife who becomes disillusioned with her condescending husband, Torvald. As the play goes on, and more foil characters enter Nora's life, her awakening begins and she begins to go against the cultural norms. One of the many

Torvald cares deeply about what others think of him and is willing to do anything to protect his image. One example of this is when Torvalds snaps at his childhood friend, Krogstad, who also happens to work for Torvald at the bank. Since the two men have been friends for such a long time, Krogstad refers to him informally around the office, which embarrasses Torvald. He states “I’m supposed to go in and make myself ridiculous in front of the entire staff - give people the idea I’m subject to all kinds of external influence?” (Ibsen Act 2; Page 148). Torvald shows so much concern about what others think about him, that he is willing to give up one of his best friends. Krogstad is the one who assisted Nora in her illegal act, so she is aware that with Torvald firing him, there is a good chance her secret will be out. And naturally, her secret does get out. When Torvald finds out about the big secret, he immediately resents Nora without even hearing her out. He writes her off entirely to protect his reputation. The text states “This business must be hushed up at all costs. - And as far as you and I are concerned, it must look as though everything were the same as before between us. But obviously only in the eyes of the world. You’ll go on living here; that goes without saying. But you won’t be allowed to bring up the children; I daren’t entrust them to you-” (Ibsen Act 3; Page 179). Torvald will not even let Nora be around her own children anymore. Instead of just hearing Nora out and listening to what she has to say, he immediately crosses her out. All Torvald cares about is Nora's actions and not her reasoning for these actions, so much so that he dismisses her, to save his own image. Torvald repeatedly shows that he only cares about appearances and is willing to do anything to deceive others, as long as it means keeping a good