A Doll’s House: Nora Perceived by Other CharactersIn the Victorian age many woman were thought of as mere objects. Mostwoman has no real social status and were not allowed to express themselvesfreely. A Doll’s House, a play by Henrik Ibsen, has brought controversy to theconclusion in which Nora leaves her family. Nora perceived in many differentways is the catalyst that forces Nora to leave her family. Many people hadfound it difficult to understand how Nora could dessert her husband and children.In the Victorian Age it was not only unheard of to walk out on your loved onesbut unethical as well. There are many incidents that inch by inch helps Noracome to the conclusion that she must leave her home and family. As Nora states “My first duty is to myself” (Ibsen 68 ). Her husband, Torvald, treats Nora moreas a possession then an equal partner. He uses, manipulates and molds her tofit perfectly into his facade. Krogstad, a morally diseased man who works forTorvald, also uses Nora to gain a higher position at work. He believes herto bean easy target for blackmail. Nora’s best childhood friend, Christine Linde,helps her realize that a woman can think, act and live independently for herself.As Nora realizes that she must find her true self, the ways in which Krogstad,Christine and Torvald perceive her dramatically change.Christine Linde, a woman who has had to live independently since herhusband died, suddenly comes back to visit Nora and finds Nora has not changedfrom her childish ways in high school. Nora for an instant does not recognizeher old friend because of the time that has passed since the last time she sawher. Christine tells Nora of her husband’s passing and how he did not leave herany money or “even any sorrow or grief to live upon” (Ibsen 6). She tells Norahow she had to marry him because of her ailing mother and two younger brothers.She needed someone who could take care of her and her family financially. Nowshe is on her own and looking for a job to support herself. Nora expresses hersympathies and promptly brags about Torvald’s promotion at the bank. She is soexcited at the importance of his job and more importantly the money that willbegin to start pouring in. Nora thinks it will be wonderful not having to worryabout money and being able to shop at any time for a…
…ther, thus ironically pushing her towardfinding new ways to relate to society. When moments he laterreceives Krogstad’s second letter and restores her to herstatus as delicate possession she recognizes the he is once againtrying to cut off her change to grow and become involved in theworld (Hornby 100).
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In effect Torvald alienates Nora into leaving her home and her family.The ways in which Torvald, Christine and Krogstad perceive her all had adirect effect on Nora’s leaving Torvald. Christine at first thought Nora to bechildish but then realizes it was just an act she played to fit in Torvald’sfacade. She learns that even though Nora always had someone to take care of hershe has had to struggle internally with who she really is and how she acts.Krogstad along with Torvald both use and manipulate Nora for their ownadvantages. Both cared nothing about her thoughts or feelings. Throughout theplay Nora begins to realize that she no longer wants to play Torvald’s roleanymore. Torvald’s failure to take the blame on himself is when Nora finallyrealizes she must find herself because she can not continue to live in thefacade world that Torvald put her in.
