Torvald Helmer In A Doll's House

In the first act of the play, A Doll’s House, Nora, wife of Torvald Helmer is a victim of society. The first example we see this is in act 1 the scene when Nora decides to save Torvald in his deteriorating health condition. Since Nora could not borrow money legally to be able to take him to Italy, she ends up forging her father’s signature to get a loan. She steps out of the societal boundaries drawn for her as a woman. Nora only decides to get the money because it isn’t within her reach and also for the right intention. Mrs. Linde, a close friend to Nora, questions her about her borrowing money without Torvald’s consent. She ends up calling Nora imprudent. “Listen to me, Nora dear. Haven’t you been a little bit imprudent?” Nora replies “It

The first example we see this is in act 2 when Torvald focuses more on what society thinks of him, or his reputation. He tries to live up to the societal expectations. He cares about what society thinks and wants to maintain a strong role in the family. In all this, Nora’s opinions are ignored and only Torvald has a say on everything. As the male and husband of the entire family, he feels that it is his duty to be the breadwinner, the provider and the head of the household. He decides to fire Krogstad by sending him a dismissal letter. “Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself” (Ibsen 31). This is a quote Helmer says meaning he believes he can bear both his and Nora’s burdens by whatever comes from firing Krogstad at the bank. This shows that Torvald really doesn’t care about Nora’s opinions and suggests that Nora won’t be able to handle anything and that she is

The first example we see this is in act 3 when Nora’s big secret has been let out. Torvald is angry at Nora and blames her for everything including putting him under Krogstad’s power. Nora at least thinks her husband would take the blame himself but he doesn’t. This shows that Nora finally realizes that she isn’t being treated right. “I must stand quite alone, if I am to understand myself and everything about me. It is for that reason that I cannot remain with you any longer” (Ibsen 58). She stands up to herself and breaks out of the gender roles society is instilling on her and decides to go away. Nora tells Torvald that after eight years of marriage this is the first time they actually have a serious talk. She also says that he never loved her he just thought it was fun to love her (Ibsen 57). Right after Nora makes the decision to leave, Torvald immediately shames her by saying that he forbids Nora from leaving implying that he still has control over her. “You blind, foolish woman!” (Ibsen 58). Torvald calls Nora foolish for choosing to not be controlled by him and going out to reclaim her identity and start a new life. Nora finally finds the courage and strength to free herself. She figures out that she was simply transferred from her father’s hands into Torvald’s. Her father called her his doll-child while also Torvald treats her like a puppet and plays tricks on her. She states how