Essay Sample on A Doll's House: Sacrificial Roles of Women in Family Life

Introduction

A Doll's House is a play that explores various themes that surrounds family life, work, and relationships. Women seem to be on the disadvantaged position as they take sacrificial roles, which men do not know, and they do it all for their families and loved ones. Nora Helmer one of the central characters in the story, is wife to Torvald Helmer, and they have three children. Although she is the main protagonist in the story at the beginning, she is portrayed as a childish woman who loves to be supported and treated like a feeble and defenseless person. Nora seems pleased and happy with the way her husband treats her. For instance, she calls her "little featherbrain"(Ibsen III.p8). Under ordinary circumstances, no one would love to be called such belittling names, but Nora enjoys it. She enjoys the treatment that her husband gives her. However, as the story unfolds, one can see her rebellious and reckless character being manifested. To understand more about Nora, the paper will explore her nature and role in the play.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

The Submissive and Cunning Nature of Nora in A Doll's House

One of the most striking qualities of Nora is that she is submissive, and this is depicted by the way she respects and obeys her husband. Norah denies herself to please her husband; for instance, when she is asked what she wanted for herself, her answer is nothing unless Torvald himself. It is an indication that one is submissive to and extent of giving up her demands just to please another person. Torvald asks, "Tell me something reasonable that you would particularly like to have. And she replies, "No, I really can't think of anything-unless, Torvald" (Ibsen I.p6). To show subordination and love, she states that her gift would be her husband. It is an indication of submission to a point where she follows most of the commands and directions are given by Torvald. Norah literally adores her husband and swears not to do things Torvald dislikes. She states, "I wouldn't do anything that you don't like" (Ibsen 151). It is not only a depiction of self-denial but also an act of respect to Torvald.

Nora's Sacrificial Role and Hidden Strengths in A Doll's House

Similarly, Nora is cunning and manipulative, especially when she wants something from her husband, and it is depicted when Krogstad blackmailed her so that she could convince Torvald not to fire him from his position at the bank. Nora goes to her husband and plays dumb to get the favor as seen from her cunning words when she asks, "If your little squirrel were to ask you for something very, very prettily-?"(Ibsen II. p38). She subordinates herself to get what she wants to form Torvald. When she gets the attention of her husband, Nora continues to play dumb and states, "Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants" (Ibsen II. p39). It is her sly language that shows the other side of her character, which is cunning and manipulative to get favors from Torvald.

Unveiling Nora's True Character: From Timidity to Boldness in A Doll's House

Additionally, Nora is a fraudster, and she is guilty of forging her father's signature to get a loan from the bank. Although it can be considered as a crime because of passion, Norah is still guilty of the act she committed. She made a mistake innocently with a bid to save the life of her ailing husband. The loan Nora took was meant to facilitate their trip to Italy, where her husband stayed until his recovery. Her action of saving her husband, unfortunately, leads to her being blackmailed by Krogstad, who has been terminated by Torvald. Nora is worried about her husband knowing the issue for fear of him blaming himself to the extent of committing suicide; she is a troubled woman. It is an indication that despite everything she has done to please her husband, Nora is aware that the forgery she did is the last thing that Torvald would ever want to hear, and it is Fraud.

Nora's Financial Habits and Insecurities in A Doll's House

Nora is also a spendthrift, and this is evident from the way she makes her financial decisions and plans without thinking of the future or its repercussions. Firstly, she indulges in debt to fiance a relaxation trip, and this shows she is just extravagant and not keen on her finances. Secondly, she goes shopping for Christmas gifts for the family despite a prior agreement with her husband regarding their investments and spending. It is evident when she arrives home with the gifts, and her husband states, "You can't Helmer deny it, my dear little Nora. (Puts his arm around her waist.) It's a sweet little spendthrift, but she uses up a deal of money. One would hardly believe how expensive, such little persons are! (Ibsen I.p6). Torvald explains how Nora is poor with finances and calls her a spendthrift. Besides, Torvald had asked her a question to mention that she is wasting money on things that are not important. He asks, "What are little people called that are always wasting money?"(Ibsen I p6). It is an indication that the habit of being a poor spender has been there for a while, and this depicts her nature of being a spendthrift.

The Contradictory Nature of Nora: From Home Keeper to Independent Thinker

Nora is also a character who lacks confidence in herself, and this is evident when she expresses her desire for more of her father's good qualities implying that she lacks self-assurance. In her argument with Torvald about spending, she is scolded and compared with her father. But her response depicting lack of self-confidence Nora states, "Ah, I wish I had inherited many of papa's qualities" (Ibsen I.p6). It is an indication that when put under pressure, she loses her confidence and wishes she had inherited good qualities from her father. Perhaps this would have given her confidence. Similarly, her insecurities are seen when she wants to paint a good picture of herself by explaining to Mrs. Linde about having three beautiful children and that her husband is in a lucrative position at the bank. It is a way of trying to hide her insecurities. Besides, she is in self-doubt and states

On the contrary, Nora is a home keeper and a wife who is dedicated to going beyond the odds to do the best for her family. Right from the start of the play, she is seen happy and comes home with Christmas gifts for her husband and children. It is an indication that she wants to make them as they celebrate the season. Similarly, she takes a significant risk of indulging in forgery to ensure her husband gets a trip to Italy so that he can fully recover. It is a risk that shows how supportive she is to her husband.

The Complex Portrait of Nora: Submissive Wife or Rebel Woman?

Additionally, she has a big heart, and this can be depicted from the way she accommodates Mrs. Linde, her old friend, and talks to her husband to give him a job to do. When Linde seems to be downcast, she encourages her to be proud of what she has done to her brothers and what she did to her mother and husband too. Symbolically she is the doll in the house because she is not allowed to do anything else except to be a home keeper, take care of her husband and children. Nora stays in the house, just like a typical doll. She cannot make her own decisions but has to wait for orders from her husband, who often thinks Nora is dumb and compares her to a squirrel and calls her a little thing. Her real nature is unleashed when she realizes that her husband is not the savior she thought he was. Nora is a bold, mature woman who realizes that she has to defend herself and not rely on her husband, who betrays her in the end.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential to note that Nora is a multifaceted character who is difficult to understand because she has several qualities. Nora is timid but, at the same time, bold because she dares to do things that others do not do, and at the same, she reveres her husband and listens when he speaks. A time she is cunning and manipulative but also a person to count on. Her real character is depicted in the end when she realizes that her boldness is essential since Torvald could not protect her. He was not the savior he had always thought of.