Overcoming Adversities
Most often, people will face numerous difficulties and challenges in their lifetime. These adversities impact and help play a role in shaping a person’s identity. People may view adversities as roadblocks that are impossible to overcome, while others view them as challenges that will only strengthen themselves. The overall effect of these adversities is the strengthening of a person's identity. People will gain more knowledge and therefore become strong in their identity. In the modern prose drama A Doll’s House, Henrik Ibsen demonstrates how adversities impact people. It also shows how people become stronger when they overcome the adversities placed before them. The adversities that Nora, Krogstad, and Mrs. Linde face
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Nora is married to Torvald for over 6 years and they have a comfortable routine that they follow. One day Torvald takes ill and Nora takes action. In the 1870’s the man was the provider for the household. Though, with Torvald sick, Nora needs to find a way to help her husband no matter the cost. They take off to Italy and “Torvald couldn't have lived if he hadn't managed to get down there.” (180) Nora feels a sense of pride knowing that she is the one that saves her husband. Nora wishes she could tell her husband what she had done but she understands the repercussions it would have on their relationship. Torvald would feel the humiliating effect of having his wife being his protector. To Torvald, Nora is just an object that is to serve his every need. She is his entertainer, his squanderbird. Torvald believes that Nora is just his “....poor, helpless, bewildered little creature.” (226) Their marriage is only real on paper, there is no equality in their household. This is something that Nora comes to terms with. She understands that “I must stand on my own feet if I am to find out the truth about myself and about life.” (228) Nora is a person of strong will. She knows how to put on a mask when the time comes, and she plays her cards just right. Because Torvald treats her as more of a trophy wife, she does not tell him about how she was able to take him to Italy. …show more content…
Through interaction with Mrs. Linde, antecedent action tells the story of how Krogstad and Mrs. Linde love each other. Though, fate steps in and Mrs. Linde marries another man, “It’s the old story isn't it - a woman chucking a man because something better turns up?” (215). Krogstad is not financially able to support a family at the time of Mrs. Linde leaving him. It takes years before Krogstad and Mrs. Linde ever cross paths again and in this time Krogstad becomes a father, but he also becomes a very bitter man. Krogstad says that “....life has taught me to distrust fine words.” (215) Even though Krogstad is now weary and cautious towards Mrs. Linde, he still loves her dearly. This is shown when Krogstad and Mrs. Linde end up bonding on the common ground of feeling like castaways, they ultimately agree to restart their friendship and maybe create something more. Though Krogstad gets back with his first love he is still a bitter man for other reasons. One of those reasons is that he is penalized heavily for the crime of forgery. He theoretically has a mark on his forehead that says “Do not hire me”. Because of this Krogstad is “given the sack.” (207) This means that Krogstad has no income for his children and that he is no longer an adequate provider for his household. The only person that will hire him now is Torvald. Again, fate picks on Krogstad as he realizes that Torvald may fire him. He
Although Nora is secretive about the crime she committed, which is forging her father’s name in order to borrow money; she does it to save her husband. During Act I when Nora is speaking to Mrs. Linde about someday revealing to Torvald about the secret loan Nora exclaims: “One day I might, yes. Many years from now, when I’ve lost my looks a little. Don’t laugh. I mean, of course, a time will come when Torvald is not as devoted to me, not quite so happy when I dance for him, and dress for him, and play with him.” (Act I, pg. 12). This quotation shows that even early on in the play Nora understands the reality of her marriage, and her existence to Torvald. Therefore, Act I is merely an introduction to the overall overarching theme of independence. Act I shows the obedient side of Nora, until later scenes when she reveals her independence. Torvald attempts to oppress his wife, but his actions do not stop Nora’s independent thoughts from forming.
In the beginning, Nora and Torvald's relationship appeared to be a good marriage according to the principles of the time. However, this marriage was based on fairly different and unequal roles. Torvald is a banker and he holds the power of the house as a man. He is very much concerned about his status and value in the society. Nora is a housewife who is supposed to take care of her husband and children. Torvald understands that Nora needs his guidance with every decision she makes and he treats
In A Doll House, Nora finds herself subordinate to her husband as well as the rules of society. Torvald forbids her from the consumption of macarons, bestows on her an allowance as if she were a child, persuades her to do as he wishes, dance like this, not like that, and she like a “good little lark” obeys his most every will. Her act of courage and independence, illegally taking out a loan to save his life, is seen as wrong in the eyes of society, while she sees it as necessary and forgivable; it is what a good wife should do for her husband.
Nora also receives the command from her husband that she should “...make your mind at ease again, my frightened little singing bird. Be at/ rest and feel secure; I have broad wings to shelter you under”(3. 1. 543-544). After showing his whimpering self at realizing that society might find out that he owes his wife, he then receives a note promising not to reveal the truth. Torvald reacts with happiness and pretends that he did not just hurt his wife. His wife does not let this go as he rants with sexist remarks bluffing about his strengths. The pride Torvald has as a man makes him discriminate against women and what they stand for showing making the break up within this family. Also in The House on Mango Street, one of the protagonist's friends must take care of their family because she is the eldest daughter but this has only made her hope for a man to get out of here since all she has learned is that men are superior to her. This shows how dominance of a family member can make other family members want to leave, therefore breaking the family
Nora begins to take offence to the words of Torvald. He refers to her as his most “prized possession”, and continues to say that he often imagines her as though she is his mistress, and she is a temptress. Nora continues to get offended, telling Torvald she doesn’t want any of this. Nora begins
She points out to Torvald that their marriage was a clear failure when she questions Torvald, “How could you ever teach me to be a proper wife? Your wife?” (Ibsen 82). To this question Torvald is unable to provide a reasonable answer hence proving Nora’s point about the failure of their marriage. Further, the sudden change in Nora’s behavior during the second half of the play is significant as it symbolizes her clear intent to depart from the house in search of her inner-self.
Henrik Ibsen shared this sense of change happening inside the society and proclaims it within the pages of the play “A Doll’s House (Lee 631).” The main protagonist of the play, Nora Helmer is afflicted with gender inequality. The play starts with Nora in a state very fundamental to what many would consider absolute joy. She is unaware of her current condition of oppression. Her state of ignorance can be credited to the way that she has been confronted with few upsetting and tragic obstacles. Without trials and hardships people once in a while will understand any need for change in their lives. Ibsen comprehends this idea and highlights it with many examples that happen in the play from the conflict with Krogstad and his posing threat of black-mailing to the rising awareness of Torvald’s disparaging relationship with Nora.
After Torvald’s cruel reaction, she understands that “personal and human freedom are not measured in economic terms” (Witham 1786). She comes to the realization that it does not matter how well off they are financially or the perfect appearance they have, but that individual freedom and identity are the key to happiness. In order to reach this, Nora must leave her family and home life. Nora’s decision to leave her comfortable life is not an easy choice because not only was she is leaving behind her family, but she is also stepping into society’s line of fire. Women faced condemnation from society for not choosing “socially prescribed roles of marriage” (Atner 1794). She, like other brave people, chose to “abandon these roles in order to realize their value as individuals” (Atner 1794). Nora sacrifices the appearance of a “dollhouse” to better understand herself and this cost the destruction of her family (Witham 1786). It is at this point she goes from the “Angel in the House” to the “Fallen
When Torvald does not immediately offer to help Nora after Krogstad threatens to expose her, Nora realizes that there is a problem. By waiting until after he discovers that his social status will suffer no harm, Torvald reveals his true feelings, which put appearance, both social and physical, ahead of the wife whom he says he loves. Nora's personality changes from a two-dimensional figure to a fully developed and captivating woman who can independently take care of herself and her family without the guiding hand of a man at her side; this is illustrated by her handling of the debt crisis up to the point that her husband finds out. This revelation is what prompts Nora to walk out on Torvald.
Despite her prior obedience, Nora proves to come quite far from this subdued mindset. With much conviction she tells her disgruntled husband, “It is no use forbidding me anything any longer… I will take nothing from you, either now or later” (1399). Torvald finds himself quite shocked with his wife’s new view on her marriage. As the man of the 19th century, he has become programmed to see a woman’s life purpose as quenching the desires of her husband and by default their children. He does not recognize the amount of sacrifice Nora has put into their union, but Nora is very much aware of her self-worth. Ibsen allows the audience to witness the level of strength Nora has gained from her sacrifices. No longer does she find herself depending on the physical goods or emotional devotions of her husband. She instead desires to dedicate herself to fulfilling “duties just as sacred” (1399) to
Torvald as the husband expresses his duty to the family, by working hard and making money for his family. Nora expresses duty to the family by bringing happiness and love, she expresses it by spending money and shopping for her family. When Nora forged her father’s signature at the bank it was for her husband, Torvald was very upset when he found out, he stated some very harsh words to her. Nora defended herself for the first time by stating “I was your little skylark, your doll, which you would in future treat with doubly gentle care, because it was so brittle and fragile” (Act 3), in which she decides to leave Torvald for treating her as a “doll” their whole martial relationship. The main reason it is an example of the duty to the family over duty to the law of the state is because Torvald works for the bank.
A home purchase is a major investment into your future. Just like any other investment, it's important to make sure it appreciates in value over a long period of time. One of the best ways to do this involves completing major renovation projects that'll upgrade the home over the long haul. Sure, there are smaller projects like changing the front door and adding floor tiles that can make a difference. However, one of the main rooms to make a big impact is the kitchen. After all, to most people, the kitchen is the heart of the home. In order to make major changes in the kitchen, you'll probably need to gut everything and start from scratch. There are a few ways to survive the process of a kitchen renovation while still leaving your sanity in
At my family's big warm log cabin in Barnes, Wisconsin is where all my family go to hang out mainly during the winter and summer. We go up to our cabin mainly for Christmas and the 4th of July. When we go to our cabin for christmas it is always freezing cold outside and there is tons of pure white powdery snow outside. During the cold nights we tend to have a extremely warm bright fire outside the will keep us all warm as we tell stories and talk about plans that we all have for the future. When we go to the cabin in the summer we always have the greatest times with family and friends outside in the blazing hot sun. During the summer times out at the cabin the love to go swimming in the semi warm crystal clear lake that are cabin is on we
Torvald only sees his wife as his most prized possession and trophy wife. Nora has no identity of her own and is never taken seriously by her husband. Nora acts on command and is often humiliated by being treated as a child instead of a woman. Torvald has instilled in her that she is only strong because she is dependent on him and without him, she cannot function in everyday life. Nora is so controlled by Torvald that she does not indulge in sweets because he wants her pretty teeth to stay white.
Krogstad informs Torvald of Nora misdemeanors. Torvald now knows the truth and confronts Nora on her behalf. Torvald then receives another letter revealing that it was all a mishap and nothing was true from the letter before. Torvald continues to forgive Nora for her mistakes and for his disgraceful actions. When Nora realizes she can do better than him, she continues to describe herself and her indecency. She explains to Torvald, that his love is not worth her love. Her efforts are not equal into what his efforts are. Thus, when Torvald discovers that Nora has forged her father's name, he is ready to disclaim his wife even though she had done it for him. When the situation between the relationships is resolved Nora leaves