Several prominent characters are present in the play "A Doll's House" by Henrik Ibsen. However, only one of them has such a profound effect on the play and its dynamics: Torvald Helmer. He changes throughout the story, becoming less friendly and more profound in his views on women and his wife. As a whole, Torvald can be noted as an antagonist and misogynist who has fallen victim to the societal norms of his time. Torvald is easily distinguishable as the antagonist of the story even when compared to the nefarious foil character, Krogstad. At first, he seems to be a kind husband, much like any other. In some instances, he is even playful like this: "Nora! [Goes over and playfully takes her by the ear.] Are your scatterbrains off again?" (Ibsen 785). As the play's conflict develops, he is shown to be more egocentric than originally portrayed. "You'll go right on living in this house, of course. But you can't be allowed to bring up the children; I don't dare trust you with them" (Ibsen 836). When Nora, the protagonist of the play, gets put …show more content…
"Besides—Torvald, with all his masculine pride—how painfully humiliating for him if he ever found he was in debt to me," (Ibsen 794). This excerpt shows that Torvald holds his masculinity as one of his top concerns. However, in the 1800's, such circumstances were far more common than they are today. Men were expected to be able to provide for the family and be in charge of all financial decisions. Due to this, women were not seen as equals and were expected to submit to the authority of their spouses. Because of these norms set by society at the time, Torvald appeared to have the impression that he needed to control everything. Consequently, his actions towards Nora were influenced so heavily by norms that his actions may be viewed as obsolete and offensive by today's
Torvald throughout the course of the play is selfish and only cares about his reputation. He tells Nora he would do anything for her, but when it came time he was only worried about losing his reputation and good name. Torvald exemplifies the dominant husband that puts societal views of himself over his wife and children.
I wouldn't consider Torvald as a misogynist or antagonist since he doesn't detest or restrict Nora as much as boss her around. I emphatically trust that heis just as much as a victim of nineteenth century standards as Nora. I don't think he is intentionally abhorring her or restricting her however he's simply treating her like men in the nineteenth century treated ladies. I trust that Torvald didn't really adore Nora yet he considered responsibility for her. In Act III, Nora lets him know, In Act III, Nora tells him, “You have never loved me. You have just thought it pleasant to be in love with me.” (66) I truly cherish that quote since it indicates how she is venturing outside of the ordinary perspectives of their general public and thinking
Character Analysis Torvald: Character Description- Torvald is “supposedly” madly in love with his wife Nora; seen by giving her pet nicknames, such as “skylark”, and always giving her money. -Changes dramatically as soon as he reads Krogstad’s letter. -Becomes sexist and selfishly angry Key Action- Helmer, “Now you have destroyed all my happiness.
Once this scene begins, Torvald does into a ferocious rage that would terrify anybody. This is a new side to Torvald that is not only being introduced to us, the readers, but to his wife of eight years as well. Nora goes from being his “scared dove” to a “wretched woman.” He detaches himself from her and threatens to remove her from the children and from himself in general. Very soon, however, Torvald receives another letter apologizing for the threat, and assuring him that nobody in the public shall know of Nora’s criminal act. In a matter of minutes, Torvald returns to the romantic, playful façade he has kept around Nora. After this episode, Nora realizes that she and Torvald are married for the wrong reasons. They are married purely for fun, and “have never been happy, only merry.” She tells Torvald that, “…our house has been nothing but a play-room. Here I have been your doll-wife…” (Ibsen, 42). With that, she leaves into the frigid night, with a new identity and a new idea that her duties to herself are equally as sacred as her duties to her
Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House is a realistic drama set in the late 1800’s in Norway. It is a story of a young mother and wife that has an awakening that her whole life has been anything but her own. The protagonist is Nora, a seemingly naïve, child—like character that throughout the play develops clarity about her situation and eventually releases herself from the oppression she has been living with her whole life. Torvald is Nora’s husband and the antagonist who delights himself with the authority he has working at the bank and over Nora. The relationship between this husband and wife duo becomes more apparent to the reader and to Nora, of one that is unhealthy.
Evidently, Nora wants to obtain the right to be a part of something big. She saves Torvald from death by borrowing money in loan, however knowing her husband, she is afraid to reveal about her deed. Torvald is an obstacle for her to grow as an individual using all the talents. She asserts that he committed “a great sin” against her in discouraging her from growing up as a
To fully understand how Torvald’s actions and perspective lead him to the turmoil in his relationship, you must take into consideration the time period Torvald lives in, there are social expectations he must abide by. As a male, your role is characterized by masculinity, emotional insensitivity, and aggressive/competitive behavior. Similarly, through the inferences of Erving Goffman, Canadian
However, Torvald was equally guilty of neglecting his duty to understand his wife in any meaningful way. He failed to establish any real communication with his wife and their marriage suffered for it. Even still, Torvald wasn’t completely without reason in his initial reaction. While his reaction was a bit rash, Nora’s action hadn’t just compromised Torvald’s reputation, the threat extended to the entire family. Her poor judgement had threatened to undo everything he had dedicated his life to working towards, and even in his rage he doesn’t wish to send her away. We see when he’s calmed down that he does in fact love Nora and intends to address the problems that have been illuminated through this situation. He forgives her for her recklessness and pledges to educate her (837). He is attempting to be reasonable and understanding in but Nora cannot see past her
Had Torvald not been so restrictive toward his wife she more than likely would not have left the house at the end. Also had Torvald not try to enforce his gender role ideology upon Nora and allowed her to have more rights she would not have developed the mental instabilities that she did. In a way Torvald was somewhat of a hypocrite throughout the play as he tasked his wife to be the housewife with no freedoms but does something progressive when he gives Linde a job at the bank and fires a man to open up the position. That goes to show that even Torvald wasn’t fully dedicated to his Masculine Identity rather he used it whenever convenient to him. The fact that Nora was also a compulsive liar cannot be overlooked. It would go further to factor in why she left him as it happens to people who develop that symptom through the restrictiveness of their family
The exposure of Torvald's behavior/attitude towards Nora and his exploitation of what the world would call his "soulmate" is not only the exposure of a particular man's mind and culture. It is meant to expose the emptiness in the hearts of many people who can be associated with Torvald. In other words, those who thrive off of the sense of superiority over their partner. The events of the drama paint a very realistic picture. Said picture being one that illustrates a controlling partner dominating the life and relationship of a love blinded
The plot of A Doll’s House, a play written by Henrik Ibsen in 1879, is centered around the protagonist, Nora, who experiences a dramatic shift in character throughout the play, which is most easily highlighted by her evolving relationship with her husband, Torvald. Throughout the play Nora learns to put herself first and not give into the societal expectations, whether it is the role of women or the notion of male dominance. The development of Nora’s character has a direct impact on the balance of power between her and Torvald, who dominates the house as per the patriarchal society of the Norway during this time period. Nora’s grasp on power ebbs and flows throughout the play, but her position is easily identifiable through an analysis of how her husband addresses her, refers to her, and describes her in the dialogue between the two of them and with other characters. This includes the use of childish and belittling terms, the reduction of the possessive word “my”, and the increase in the use of her name when addressing her directly. Ibsen exercises Torvald's choice language and names used towards Nora changes throughout the play, which changes from sweet and child-like names and adjectives when she is being a dutiful to insulting
“A Doll’s House”, a revolutionary play written by Henrik Ibsen, shows the importance of women rights at a period and the time when they were neglected. Written in the nineteen century, the role of a woman was to stay at home, raise children and attend to one’s husband. Nora Helmer as the central character is portrayed as a victim, a trophy-wife to Torvald and oppressed by the society. As, the play progresses Nora keeps a secret from Torvald that eventually leads to dissolution of her marriage. After the surfacing of her secret, Nora discovers more than she had bargained for, expecting a“miracle” she finds out what kind of man she is married to, a typical husband in the Victorian Era society, Nora is a dynamic character in this play. Though she faces many progressions and grows from one character into another. It is through her character progressions that she discovers that she has been living a lie and she decides to open a new chapter of her life slamming the entryway of pretense and the doll ideology.
Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is based in the Victorian society of the 19th century. It assesses the many struggles and hardships that women faced because of marriage “laws” that were crucial during that time period. The society was male- dominated with no equality. Nora is the protagonist in A Doll’s House and the wife of a man named Torvald. This play is about Nora’s voyage to recognizing her self- determination and independence. She transforms from a traditional, reserved woman to a new, independent woman. Nora’s relationship with Mrs. Linde, Nils Krogstad, and her husband, Torvald, help her personality grow throughout the play, A Doll’s House.
In the play A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen examines the roles of a woman during the nineteenth century in a male dominated Victorian society. The play is a well-played out journey of the main character, Nora, self-discovery and struggles against the oppression of her husband Torvald and the society he represents. Nora, who is the wife of Torvald Helmer, is the heroine of the play in the end. At the beginning of Act I, the scene is a clear picture of the lifestyle of the Helmer’s household. The Helmer’s are prominent members of the Victorian society. Nora purpose in life is to be happy for her husband and children. Torvald appears to be a loving, devoted, and generous husband. (3). Nora has taken drastic measures to save her husband’s
"Nice?—because you do as your husband wishes? Well, well, you little rogue, I am sure you did not mean it in that way." (31). this is one of the many sexist remarks that Torvald Helmer states in the play A Doll’s House. A Doll’s House play was written by Henrik Ibsen during the nineteenth century, which was a time were women where looked down upon Torvald is a very selfish person all he ever cares about is his self and his future. This is why Torvald had such sexist thoughts towards his wife Nora and women in general. This play tells the story of a husband and a wife Torvald and Nora, who supposedly live in a happy wonderful home when in reality, there are dark secrets that Nora is hiding from Torvald, and she