In Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, society and individuality clash in the life of Nora Helmer; as she questions not only her love, but her role in society, Nora’s picture-perfect life crumbles and she discovers that true happiness must come from finding one’s self and disregarding the expectations of society.
On the outside, Nora Helmer relishes in her role of wife and mother in the household. She adheres to Torvald’s visions of her as a small, helpless woman who is lost in the world. When he refers to her as his “little squirrel,” she not only plays along, but seems to embrace it fully with her silly and almost childlike actions. Torvald controls the household as it’s sole provider and dictates to Nora what is and isn’t allowed, like most men of his time. He treats her as his fragile doll and Nora embraces his vision. She follows Torvald’s wishes thoughtlessly and plays with their children in a way that suggests she is
…show more content…
Upon Torvald’s discovery of Nora’s loan and forgery, he is enraged. Torvald acts not out of love for Nora, but out of disgust as he proclaims that she must be kept away from the children. He also declares that although their marriage is tarnished, they must keep up the appearance for the sake of his reputation. In this moment, Nora questions the love she thought there was in their marriage. She questions how Torvald can so easily alienate her from himself after eight years of marriage. Meanwhile, she has always been willing to give up everything for him. Nora realizes that her life has been an lie. She has lived the role expected of her and Torvald loves her for that image, not because she is Nora. With this, Nora knows that she cannot be happy living as Torvald’s doll anymore. She leaves behind her husband and family in search of her identity and