Introduction
Nora and Helmer as a Couple
Throughout the novel, we can feel that they don’t have a happy marriage. The relationship between Nora and Helmer was a bumpy ride.
With the help of realistic characterization, the author wants to expose the evils associated with male dominated mindset. The theme of marriage is predominant in “A Doll’s House” like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
- Lack of Affinity
At the start of act I we have a depiction of a very happy family where Nora is not concerned with her doll like existence. But as the play progresses on we will observe a very chronic lack of affinity between them. This is due to the fact that both of them were poles apart from each other as far as their understanding and outlook towards life is concerned.
Nora: “No, not only what one needs, but heaps and heaps of money”
Nora:” Pooh! We can borrow till then”
Helmer: “There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt”
Well! The above instances give us a through gist of the personalities of the couple. Nora sometimes seems to be a childish individual who thinks after uttering a word. On the contrary, Helmer seems to be a mature, reasonable and intelligent person having totally different outlook towards life.
- Lack of Respect
It is a well acknowledged fact that that element of “respect” has always been significant in any relationship. It is the only respect which provided solid ground to the relationship.
Unfortunately in A Doll’s House the attitude of Mr. Torvald is not based upon respect and care. Mr. Torvald does not consider her opinion worthy; instead he had a very low image of her. At the very start of this novel we find extremely controversial comments from Helmer.
He considers her inferior to him. That’s why she addressed her like a child.
“My little skylark must not droop her wings”
On the contrary Torvald always labels her as a woman who is always concerned about spending money.
“You extravagant little person”
Well! It is indeed considered to be a dilemma of male-oriented society to criticize the upbringing of their spouse. We can also observe this trend in this novel where Torvald criticizes Nora’s upbringing in above words.
“It is in the blood; for indeed it is true that you can inherit those things”
Nora as a Wife
The character of Nora as wife is worth discussing. At first she seems to be a childish woman who is concerned about materialistic possession. But this perception of her is not entirely based upon the objectivity. It is generally considered to be true that she serves as linch pin or binding force in their marriage. She always tries to be a person who always has to compromise and to walk one step behind her husband. As far as the question of her extravagancy is concerned she does this only for her family and not for herself.
“For myself oh I am sure I don’t want anything”
It was due to her sacrificing nature that Nora had to commit an irregularity to arrange expenses for her ailing husband.
“It was a wonderfully beautiful journey and it saved Torvalds’s life”
It is due to this sacrifice that she had to face the blackmailing and threats of Mr. Krogstad as she had no one to share her inner feeling and fears. Instead of being a protective man, Torvald proves to be dictatorial in his approach.
Through the novel Nora has always tried to save her marriage but it is the cold attitude of Mr. Torvald that became a hurdle.
Torvald as a Husband/Dictator
It is an injustice to call Torvald merely a husband. In fact he is a dictator who always dictates and enforces his point of view without listening or acknowledging no one. There is no doubt that he is educated decent and mature with a deep understanding of worldly affairs. But these qualities eventually turned him to an extremely snobbish person exhibiting hubris which was his tragic flaw.
Although, Nora tries to keep the relation smooth but the attitude of Torvald appears to be extremely disgusting.
“Nora! (Goes up to her and takes her playfully by the ear”
“The small little featherhead”
He always has a perception that Nora has a very inferior frame of mind than him.
“That is like a woman”
Here! A very controversial psychology of patriarchal society is revealed.
“Far from it my dear fellow; it is simply nothing more than this childish nervousness. I was telling you off”
Nora's Awakening and Fate of Relationship
It was actually Nora who was providing a solid foundation to the relationship. Her character is realistic having a lot of similarity with our social setup. Despite the cold attitude of her husband she had tried her best to save her relationship but at last she realizes that now she cannot be able to bear the burden of this shallow relationship or marriage.
She feels that she has spent longs years of her life with a person that has no respect and concern for her. Instead of acknowledging her efforts he always criticizes her.
“Oh, don’t let us have any silly excuses”
“What a horrible awakening! All these eight years –she who was my joy and pride-a hypocrite a liar, worse, worse-a criminal”
Towards the end of act III we have observed a sudden transformation and self-realization in Nora. At last she had decided to part her ways to live a life of freedom and liberty.
“Yes Torvald, I have changed my things, now”
Nora was truly believed to be a victim of patriarchal society. The above remarks of Nora were extremely heart wrenching.
“I have been greatly wronged Torvald first by papa and then by you”
Helmer as a Flat Character
Through the novel we have observed an extremely snobbish character that dictates his opinions on Nora. Moreover we can’t find transformation in his character. Instead of being apologetic to Nora upon her departure, he still curses him.
“You blind foolish woman”
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