Character Analysis Of Nora In A Doll's House

Throughout the play, “A Doll’s House” written by Henrik Ibsen, the main character Nora is a dynamic and complex character. Her biggest trait that is portrayed by Ibsen throughout the play is the perception that she is a child to her husband, Torvald, her kids, and the people around her. She is seen as a child for many reaasons. These reasons are how she acts in mature situations, how she acts as a mother and treats her kids, and how she is treated by Torvald. Nora’s relationship with Torvald is a major part of the play that leads to the perception that Nora is viewed as a child wife to Torvald. To start, Torvald has Nora on a leash creating many rules for her like banning her from eating macaroons at any time. This is a rule that would be

Nora also allows these rules to be set for herself instead of standing up to her husband since she is also an adult who can make decisions for herself. At the same time, Nora will sneak herself some macaroons behind Torvalds’s back. This is similar to when a child would sneak down for a midnight snack or sneak out behind their parents back since they have rules set to prevent the kids from doing so. Though this may seem harmless, it presents an underlying representation of Nora’s nature. As stated by Stephanie Boeninger, “Ibsen exposes Nora’s true nature and her emotional state less through her spoken words…” (Boeninger 454). This show how something as simple as just sneaking macaroons reveals how immature and childish Nora truly is since she accepts the childish rules apposed on her. Torvald also has many nicknames for Nora that are very similar to what a mother and father would give to a baby or pet. All the time Torvald would say things to Nora such as, “Is that my little lark twittering out there” (Ibsen 1359). These nicknames portray Nora to be seen no more than a child through the eyes of Torvald. Another example that shows Nora is perceived as a child is in the way Nora compares Torvald to

Nora does not display the role of the mother in the house. That role was tailored towards the nurse that worked for the family. She took care of Nora as a child and then continued to stay in the house to help care for Nora’s children. Though the nurse was there to take care of the children she also played a huge role in mothering Nora as an adult. In the play Nora states, “…you were a good mother to me…” (Ibsen 1378). This being said by Nora creates a parallel to the fact that the nurse took care of Nora as a child and still continues to now even though she is now technically an adult. In the house, Nora does not hold her ground to do what she wishes; she lives her life through the role of what Torvald wishes. This is seen clearly when she plays decides to play with her kids. She is very selfish only playing with them when she feels is right for her or to please Torvald. This is seen when Nora’s children ask her to play with them and Nora promises that she would. Nora says to them, “Yes, but I can’t now. Run away in; I have such lot to do” (Ibsen 1375). Denying playing with her kids after she promised them she would shows the selfishness and immaturity that Nora poses. Similar to like how a child is stereotyped, she will only make time out of her way if it benefits her or how she is seen by others. Stephanie Forward describes it best saying, “Although Nora may