Torvald Argumentative Essay

In contrast to Nora, Torvald is described as putting on “overcoat”, “hat” and “fur coat” before leaving with Mrs Linde. Ibsen further subtly suggests the excessive and cowardly nature of Torvald’s apparel, which is reflective of society’s obsession with status, through him “(warming his fur coat) at the stove”. The symbolism of warmth being consciously created, indicates Torvald’s pomposity and, in its most primitive sense, a lack of masculinity. It sheds a pathetic light on Torvald’s “wish” to “offer (his) life and (his) blood” as a testament to his protective power over Nora . This is underlined further through “fur” as being an outward symbol of wealth, yet cold in its unalterted state. In wearing it as a trophy, Torvald has effectively ripped from an innocent animal their identity – much like he has denied Nora, his little “sqwanderbird” and “squirrel”, the independence she so desperately

Diction – Most of Ibsen word choice is ironic, particular, and precise with a touch of satire. Most of Torvalds’s lines are said in one way but interpreted in another, especially when he speaks to Nora. To him, he’s just calling her cute little pet names like “ My little skylark,” or “My little songbird,” but to her, it feels like he’s talking to her as if she were mere child. Specific words such as “child” or “naive”(said by M. Linde), or “little”, “obstinate”, “helpless”, and “childish”(said by Torvald) further explains their perception of her personality and persona. Ibsen didn’t place them in for cute little pet names; almost

Others may argue that Kristine could be considered a sellout. She could be a sellout because she tells Krogstad to leave the letter so that it can be shown to Torvald. Even though, she betrays Nora trust, it proved to be favorable to Nora because she was able to see Torvald’s reaction and what he thought of her. Immediately after reading the letter, Torvald says, “Now you’ve wrecked all my happiness– ruined my whole future” (845). This proves my point that by reading the letter Nora was able to see Torvald’s true colors. Torvald only assesses blame to his wife and solely cares about his reputation. Nora says, “You don’t understand me. And I’ve never understood you either – until tonight” (847). This further proves my point that having Kristine

The relationship between Torvald and Nora is based on the assumption that women are beneath men. Torvald treats Nora like a girl would treat a doll. Torvald refers to Nora as his "lark," "squirrel," and his beautiful "songbird" throughout Ibsen's play, except when he is angry; then she becomes a woman. Elaine Baruch adds insight:

It is at this time that Torvald realizes Nora’s unhappiness and suggests “playtime shall be over and lesson time shall begin,” (Ibsen 205). Ibsen portrays verbal irony as Torvald tries to exhibit potential equality in their relationship, but he would still be in control as he would be doing the teaching. With this need to be in control, Ibsen depicts the expected interactions between couples, but contradicts it right after when Nora claims she “must try and educate,” (Ibsen 206-7) herself. Ibsen wants to normalize equality in

Torvald embodies the typical Victorian man, given his actions towards his wife and his home as a whole. He symbolizes the dominance that many men hold over their wife and children. He strictly believes that the wife of the man is his property, and he had the right to treat her however he feels she should be treated. He treated Nora like a doll, not his wife, or an actual human being. He confesses to her that she is like his wife... and his child, which defeats the purpose of marriage all together. In a sense, Torvald, just like Nora, is trapped in the Victorian era mindset. He acts just as he is “supposed” to act, and he sees absolutely nothing wrong with it. That was the way the men of the Victorian Era were brought up. Torvald envisions himself

In preparation for Nora's dance at the party, we again see Ibsen showing us Torvald's and Nora's roles. "I can't get anywhere without your help."(Ibsen 91) "Direct me. Teach me, the way you always have."(Ibsen 91) Nora's lines reflect the "costume" that Torvald expects her to wear (and which she wears obligingly), that of the meek, subservient, childlike wife.

Torvald has a dichotomous character; the man that society has shaped and the controlling husband playing with his “doll wife”(p.80), the extended metaphor of the doll’s house is used to highlight how Nora has been manipulated and controlled since she was a child. The repeated use of the doll imagery reinforces the idea of Nora being weak and flimsy, an ideology which she later tries to break. The most prominent side would be the controlling husband which is shown through his attitude to Nora. He says to her “Hasn’t Miss Sweet Tooth been breaking rules in town today?” (p.5) which makes us despise his

The dialogue illustrates the complexity of her schemes to protect her debt. Ibsen 's use of exclamation marks also gives a sense of panic in Nora’s voice which further demonstrates how desperate Nora is to protect her image. These examples show how Ibsen incorporates cultural context to create Nora’s struggle for acceptance. She purposefully acts naive and obedient to Torvald, when in truth she has deviated far from the rules prescribed by society. Since fulfilling these rules often equates to acceptance, Nora by putting in an enormous amount of energy to achieve these guidelines, proves her desire to be accepted by society.

Ibsen uses Torvald’s study to symbolize male dominance and superiority in order to connect to the theme of social oppression towards women. The first scene develops this symbol through Nora and Torvald conversation in the study. Nora enters his study to ask for spending money, but she must perform childish tricks as payment.

Also, the way Torvald calls Nora by comparing her to little animals is degrading because it signifies that she has a lack of intelligence and must depend on him to survive. This puts him on a pedestal which he believes is correct as men will always be better than women. It also demonstrates how Ibsen discreetly informs us that all Nora is to Torvald is a doll much like true European history where men controlled and oversaw almost every aspect in society.

Despite being under the rule of a female monarch, women faced many inequalities and suffering during the Victorian age. Examples of these inequalities include not having the right to vote, unequal educational and employment opportunities. Women were even denied the legal right to divorce in most cases. As the Norton Anthology states, these debates over women’s rights and their roles came to be known as the “woman question” by the Victorians. This lead to many conflicting struggles, such as the desire by all for women to be educated, yet they are denied the same opportunities afforded to men. While these women faced these difficulties, there was also the notion that women should be domestic and feminine. There was an ideal that women should be submissive and pure because they are naturally different. The industrial revolution introduced women into the labor workforce, but there was still a conflict between the two identities; one of an employed woman, and one of a domestic housewife.

Through the important use of diction, Henrik Ibsen is able to individually characterize each main character and reveal more about them through their specific diction. Nora, Torvald’s wife, is

As a proponent of the woman as an individual, Ibsen used symbolism, amplification, and motifs to express his views. In addition he utilized metaphors as he compared Torvald’s view of Nora to a parent’s view of a child, or even to a “doll” (Ibsen 126). Ibsen also had Torvald refer to Nora as an

Ibsen begins the play introducing the reader to the characters of Nora and Torvald as Nora just returned home from Christmas shopping. Accordingly, Ibsen introduces the reader to the home of Torvald and Nora contains furnishings “tastefully but not extravagantly.” (Ibsen, Page 1), Ibsen’s addition of the phrase “not extravagantly” to illuminate for the reader the household remains immaculate, but not incredibly lavish in order to present the lack of wealth in the household while still preserving the sense of an upper social class. Nevertheless, Ibsen is able to present to the reader the thoughts of Torvald through his home and what is inside of it. The reader is able to view the pride and almost obsession Torvald holds in being higher class,