In the play, A Dolls House, by Henrik Ibsen, Nora has never had her own freedom and independence. The roles that she has played have always been due to how society believes she should live her life. As the play progresses, she discovers what it is that she truly wants. She wants nothing more than to simply be happy. Although Nora feels trapped within her own marriage, she seems to be forever waiting to fall in love with the man she knows, deep down, can never change.
From the outside looking in, the marriage of Torvald and Nora seems as if it is perfect. They always appear to be happy and nothing looks like it could ever go wrong. However, from the very beginning of the play, the audience sees that there are secrets between the couple. When her husband was very ill in the past, Nora borrowed money from the bank in order to take him away to recuperate. She never told him how serious his condition was, and also never revealed to him the way in which she had gone about getting the money they needed. In attempting to pay the bank back on her own, Nora began doing everything she could. I have had to save a little here and there, where I could I only know that I have paid every penny that I could scrape together. (18) Nora had been completely selfless and did this all to save her husbands life.
Throughout Torvald and Noras marriage, Torvald had always treated Nora like a child. Their relationship had never been that of a husband and wife, but rather that of a father and daughter. He always seemed to have the need to be in total control at all times. He dictated what she could say, what she was able to wear, and even what she was allowed to eat. Macaroons are forbidden here. I must tell you that he is afraid they will spoil my teeth! (21-22) The way Torvald speaks to Nora is extremely disrespectful, yet she chooses to block it out of her mind and ignore it. He calls her names and puts her down all the time and she just goes along with it. He frequently would ask, Is that my little lark twittering out there? (6) Nora is forced to put up with Torvald speaking down to her as if she knows nothing, which is something that a grown woman should not have to go through.
Due to the way Nora is treated in her marriage, one might wonder why she continues to stay with Torvald and also why she tolerates the way he treats her. Nora is simply there to play the role of wife and mother. She does not leave her home because she feels obligated to carry out the duties that society has given to her. She loves her children and she truly believes for the majority of the play that she loves her husband. However, everything Nora does appears to be done with a false happiness. She does not know any better and has no idea what true love really is.
When Torvald finally discovers Noras secret, he is furious. Everything that Nora did for him was a successful attempt to save his life, yet all he seems to be concerned with is himself. Throughout their conversation on the matter, Nora is waiting for him to tell her he will take everything upon himself. When this does not happen, Nora finally realizes what she was never able to see before. At that moment, Torvald became a stranger in her eyes and she realized that she had never truly loved him. Nora expressed her newfound feelings to Torvald and he said, I would gladly work night and day for you, Nora- bear sorrow and want for your sake. But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves. (80) Nora proved the selfishness of his actions as well as the selflessness of her own by informing him that It is a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done. (80) With these words, Nora walked out the door of her previous life and never looked back.
Nora had never been truly happy in her marriage to Torvald. The problem had been that she just wasnt sure what to do about it. She wanted to love him and she tried to love him with everything she had, but he turned out to be the man she never wanted. Throughout the play she grows as a person as she realizes she deserves to be happy. Without a doubt, Nora deserves the life she never had. She deserves freedom and independence.
Word Count: 781
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