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A Doll's House Analytical Essay

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Ibsen’s “A Dolls House” is a story about a wife who forges her father's signature to obtain a loan that can save her authoritative husband from a life-threatening illness. Unfortunately, her husband’s co-worker Krogstad discovers the forged document and threatens to reveal her which would bring shame upon both Nora and her husband. Krogstad’s motivation to blackmail Nora begins when he finds out Mrs. Linde is now an employee at the bank. Believing Mrs. Linde was hired to replace him, Krogstad need’s Nora to influence her husband to retain his position. Krogstad has a history of unethical actions including forgery. However, it’s arguable that he is a victim and misunderstood. His love interest Mrs. Linde left him for a business man of greater …show more content…

Regardless of Krogstad’s motive to keep his job, his harsh measures lead to the ruin of Nora and Torvald’s marriage. Although, it’s questionable how personally responsible he is. Highlighting Krogstad’s responsibility is evident in the following actions. First, Krogstad approaches Nora at a Christmas Eve gathering and request that Nora uses her influence over Torvald to secure his job. Furthermore, he suggests that he can force her to help him. Korvald blackmails Nora by revealing; “Your father died on the 29th of September. But look here: he has dated his signature the 2nd of October…Can you explain it…what’s just as peculiar is that the words "October 2nd" as well as the year, are not in your father's handwriting” (Ibsen 1570). Second, as Nora fails to keep Krogstad’s job, he confronts her with news of a letter written for Torvald that outlines her actions. Krogstad knows that Torvald will do anything to maintain his respectability, even re-employing Krogstad in a better job than he had before. Lastly, Krogstad does send the letter. However, shortly after he and Mrs. Linde

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