Character Analysis Of Torvald Helmer In A Doll's House

The writer’s cyclical structure of the short story successfully explores the theme of betrayal; the outer story exploring Andrina’s betrayal of Torvald, the inner story exploring Torvald’s betrayal of Sigrid. Torvald is a man who is quite selfish and very quick to judge. The reader sees this from the outer story and then again from the inner story:

Torvald would never have thought she were capable of it, since during that era it was unrealistic of women to leave their houses but rather put up with the difficulties they faced. Ibsen highlights society's domineering outlooks of marriage and the interactions of two people naïvely pretending to be in love. Throughout the play Ibsen reveals the fragile attributes of his characters to help enhance the play-like nature of their relationship, the role of women, and Nora's course of self-discovery.

Control is defined as the power to influence or direct a person’s behavior (Control). In A Doll House, Torvald Helmer is the leader. This man is a husband to Nora, a father to his children, and a prosperous business man. Within his home, everyone lives by his rules. Although Torvald appears caring and loving towards Nora, his actions and conversations reveal his controlling nature, which gives significance to the title A Doll House. Torvald lives a life fueled by the ability to control the situations around him. Though he is controlling, Nora has her own flaws. She lives an artificial, doll-like life. The home in which the Helmer family lives is beautiful, furnished in a way that shows a stranger that they are living a comfortable life. The Helmers are trying to keep up with an image of wealth. Nora often times will spend too much money. Although it goes against Torvald’s wishes, Nora believes that because Torvald received a promotion, they are going to be living a much more comfortable life.

Now that Krogstad is fired from the bank, He is blackmailing Nora for her getting a loan through signing her dying father’s signature. When Torvald finds out about Nora’s crime, She expect sympathy from Torvald about her dilemma because he said to her that he fantasizes about risking his life to save Nora’s. “Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life’s blood, and everything, for your sake” (Ibsen, 833). Once given the opportunity, however; Torvald shows no intention of sacrificing his life or anything for Nora, thinking only about his appearances. His selfishness becomes

Torvald berates Nora about her physical appearance, saying, "Has my little sweet tooth been indulging herself in town today by any chance? ..." (Act 1). Nora often sneaks macaroons, because she can not eat them in front of Torvald for fear of his disapproval. Torvald is very particular about Noras figure, as he wants her to stay small, dainty, and delicate. This is Ibsen showing the “role” of the male in that society. He has to always be in control, and for Torvald, his and Nora’s image are the most important things in the world, whether it was Nora’s figure or the fact that Nora forged her father’s signature to obtain the secret loan, which angers Torvald a great deal.

Although Robert cannot physically see, he takes the time to get to know you which helps him “see” who you truly are (Bulock). That is very important because, he sees people for who they truly are on the inside. It shows a lot of respect to sit down and get to know someone. When asked if he was ready to go to sleep, Robert said “ I'll stay up until you’re ready to turn in” (Carver pg.93). This showed a ton of respect to the narrator, who despised Robert. This is very important because this is the moment the narrator started to like him for who he truly was. The Narrator expresses his dislike of Robert Many times throughout the story. Robert, being the respectful man he is, shows his compassionate attitude toward the narrator anyway. The narrator eventually sees the level of respect he is getting from Robert, and starts to regret everything he thought about him. First thing Torvald says when he figures out they arent going to get in trouble was “ I’m saved” (Ibsen pg.911).Torvald is overly concerned with his place and status in society, and allows these feelings to overthrow the feelings of other people. Because Torvald only cares about himself, it is harder to respect him. Torvald also does not view women as the same as men. Torvald, being the selfish man he is, believes in the social order of this time. A leader should

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

This tone gives the statement a endearing and protective connotation. However, it illustrates how Torvald manipulates Nora to control her actions, revealing his dominating character and Nora's insecure and submissive characters are revealed. As Nora continues to be obedient, Torvald takes advantage of her; furthermore, Torvald does not want to discuss official issues with her, and teases her about her "silly and insignificant" character. The negative denotation of Torvald's diction emphasizes the abuse in the relationship. The lack of communication allows Torvald to continue abusing her. Abuse forces a person to stay in a relationship. It makes the victim feel unimportant and unloved. Open communication can bring equality and love to the relationship.

Torvald is a lawyer that recently got a new job at a bank. He appears to have it all. He works at a job that pays well, has a wife that he adores

Several critics also saw Torvald as controlling and obsessive. Each critic noticed the change in Torvald?s personality when something was not perfect in his home. Clement Scott said, ?Helmer is very angry indeed. He forgets all his affection and endearment; he can only think of his personality injury? (222). Scott also said, ?Helmer?s attitude towards his child-wife is natural but unreasonable? (222). Besides being angry towards Nora, Torvald is also controlling. Forbidding Nora from eating candy reveals Torvald?s controlling side. Edmund Gosse said, ? Her doctor and her husband have told her not to give way to her passion for ?candy? in any of its seductive forms?? (220). He forbids Nora from eating candy because he does not want her teeth to become rotten. This shows how shallow he is. Torvald is so obsessed with Nora being perfect, that he really is not in love with her. ? Helmer only sees the attractiveness of this love which lies intoxicatingly over her silent farewell?(Salome 229). Torvald is mean, shallow, and does not truly love his wife.

character Torvald shows moral ambiguity clearly through the life he lives and the true home life

In A Doll House, we see that Torvald Helmer, the lawyer, is a condescending, selfish, and quite authoritative. He easily becomes the antagonist in the play because of his arrogance and bad treatment towards his wife and his employers. Torvald had these motivation placed in his mind by society that guided what he did and how he acted. The main motivation, on a societal level, which stuck out most in this play, was his status/reputation. He acted in any, which selfish way, to increase his status among others, even his treatment of people, especially Nora. His actions and behaviors are driven by this motivation to uphold a high reputation and social acceptance.

Torvald cares not only about money, but also about his social status and reputation as well. When he finds out that Nora borrowed money from Krogstad with a forged signature, his love for her is suddenly completely gone, and he accuses her of destroying all of his happiness. Even though he is absolutely appalled by his wife's act, he insists that "it must appear as if everything between us were just as before—but naturally only in the eyes of the world"(3.242). Later, however, when Krogstad returns the bond with the forged signature and promises not to tell a soul about what happened, Trovald is suddenly able to love his wife again! He still only cares about himself, and this is portrayed when he jumps for joy exclaiming “I’m saved, I’m saved!” Nora is only an afterthought when it comes to his reputation. Their

“ As I am now, I am no wife for you”(Ibsen 887) This statement is from Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll House, is a play based in 1879, and it sets the tone of the remainder of the story. Ibsen seems to be making a statement that women need to mature and be independent before they have a family of their own. All of the women in this play leave their loved ones behind to gain their independence. Ibsen’s statement and character portrayal helps make Ibsen’s play take on feminist characteristics. Ibsen’s play shows that women must mature and be independent before they are ready to have a family. This is exemplified through Nora, minor characters such as Krogstad’s wife and the Nurse, and Christine. With this being one of the major themes

to be a “hopeless creature” as he calls her, but Nora through the story is