Influence of the Victorian Era In Hendrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House, readers get a glimpse in one family’s life as the strict, demanding rules of the husband are merely influenced by society in the Victorian Era. In the late 1800s’, society viewed men as the head of the household. Strict rules were enforced however there are many different aspects in the story proving that Nora caused many of the problems as well. Even when Torvald becomes verbally abusive, Nora’s actions seem to be influenced by her genuine love and care for him. Though Nora continues to put herself through the difficult situations because of the societal views during the Victorian Era, her actions prove that she genuinely cares for her family. In “A Doll’s House”, strict limitations made by Torvald are displayed in different acts throughout the story. One example where this becomes clear is when Torvald demands Nora to get rid of the macaroons because they are not healthy. Torvald imagines Nora as …show more content…
Throughout the story, Nora tries to hide the fact that she forged her deceased father’s name in order to get help for Torvald. In many scenes she tries to distract him in hopes to postpone him from finding out. In one part of the book, in act III, Nora tries to distract Torvald with her Tarantella, or her dance. While this works temporarily, his attention almost instantaneously turns back to the letter that he has received. In the letter, Torvald reads of the illegal acts demonstrated by Nora. He automatically freaks out on her, and accuses her of being a liar and a hypocrite...“What a horrible awakening! All these eight years-she who was my joy and pride-a hypocrite, a liar-worse, worse- a criminal!” (Ibsen 973). After saying all of these harsh words, Torvald says her father’s actions and principles have come out into her. He tells her to be quiet, to let him talk, and respectfully, she does