Dependence in A Doll's House Essay

In Ibsens A Dolls house, Nora is totally dependent on Torvald, his thoughts and actions are her thoughts and actions. Torvald tries to control his wife Nora and expects her to submit to him. He keeps all the business of their relationship from her, he thinks that she will never understand and is not capable to handle them. On the other hand, Nora keeps her actions and true thoughts from Torvald, in order to play the part of a puppet in their marriage. There are many examples that demonstrate the misguided type of marriage Nora and Torvald have throughout the play.

The first example, is Torvald financial control over Nora. He doesnt fully trust Nora with money. He feels she is immature and incapable to handle financial matters. Their first conversation in the play is about money and debt. He tries to talk to her seriously about their financial situation he says No debts! Never borrow! Something of freedoms lost and something of beauty, too-from a home thats is founded on borrowing and debt. Weve made a brave stand up to now, the two of us; and well go right on like that the little while we have to, but he gives up quickly due to her lack of interest. Nora on the contrary, has a great ability to handle money. She is handling her own debt, by saving money here and there to pay it back. She does not let Torvald know that she is capable of managing debt instead she pretends to ignore it. When Torvald asks her how will she repay the lenders if he dies she says who cares about them! They are strangers.

Torvald does not see Nora as an equal, instead he sees her as a child. The first time he refers to her, he says Is that my little squirrel rummaging around?When did my squirrel get in?. He calls her pet names and speaks to her in a superior tone. She is more of a little girl to Torvald than someone who is able to manage her own life. He tries to control her habits he will not let her eat macaroons or spend to much money. However, Nora was able to borrow money without his consent demonstrating that she is as capable as anyone else to manage her life. When asked by her friend how can she be able to borrow money?, she proudly says Oh, but a wife with a little business sense, a wife who knows how to manage. Yet, she is afraid of what would happen if Torvald found out, she states How painfully humiliating for him if he ever found out he was in debt to me. That would just ruin or relationship. She knows that Torvald needs to feel in control of everything, so she hides this from him. With her actions she continues to plays the part she has come to embraced, a needy dependent little child.

The next example of their misguided marriage is the lack of communication between Nora and Torvald. They hardly ever speak about their relationship, instead when they do talk about it its mostly silly talk nothing serious. Torvald doesnt share information about his new job to Nora. She barely knows what his job at the bank is, Nora has to ask his friend Dr. Rank to find out, she asks Tell me, Doctor - is everyone who works in the bank dependent now on Torvaldthat we - that Torvald has so much power now over all those people. She couldnt ask Torvald because he keeps his matters hidden from her. On the other hand, Nora doesnt show Torvald her strengths, knowledge and abilities either. She knows that Torvald could not handle the idea of seeing her as an equal. It is not until the end of the play where she finally speaks her true thoughts. She realizes that she does not love him anymore she says - You been so kind to me always. But I cant help it. I dont love you anymore.

In the end, it was wrong for Nora to forge her father signature to take out the loan, but she did it out of love and compassion. Torvald instead of understanding he insults and puts her down Now You wrecked all my happiness-ruined my whole futureIll be swept down into the depths on account of a featherbrained woman. After this, Nora leaves Torvald to find a better life for her. Aside from this , for many people this can be seen as the perfect marriage, Torvald the provider and Nora the homemaker. However this misguided marriage lacked equality, understanding and true love, which cannot be accomplished with people like Nora and Torvald.