A Doll's House Analysis

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his pride would be hurt and he would be ashamed and humiliated of the thought of owing anything. Ibsen shows us another more mature and thoughtful side of Nora instead of a “ditsy”, doll like one. She had to assume responsibility in paying for Torvald’s sickness and work multiple jobs to keep it a secret from him. We see that Nora knows more than what Torvald thinks she knows.

Toward the very end, Nora makes a decision to leave her house. She realizes with Torvald’s first reaction to the initial letter, his true character. He cared more about his appearance and less of the heroic deed she has done to save his life. With the entrance of the second letter, Torvald seems to calm down since Krogstad decides to stop the blackmail. Torvald assures Nora that he forgives her and we see Nora become expressionless. Torvald then tells her that he wants her to be dependent on him and that he has given her a new life so that she is both his wife and child. This breaks Nora, and she tells him they both never understood each other. For the first time in their marriage, they have a serious conversation. Nora starts to realize her place in this household and realize that she is only loved for the role she plays in the house as a doll. Torvald in panic, reasons with her saying he could change and treat them as pupils, but Nora refuses and decides to cut every dependence of him. Nora finally breaks free of this situation she was never happy in and realizes she must discover who she truly is. This last scene shows a huge turn of schemas. Ibsen questions the audience by ending the scene with Nora’s abrupt exiting. He makes the audience see that Nora is breaking social norms and becoming an independent woman, much like how Ms. Linde was after her husband passed. The arrival of Ms. Linde was crucial to Nora’s self discovery. Nora is also leaving behind her children which is controversial for that time period, however, Ibsen makes a bold move by making Nora expressionless and emotionless toward her pleading children. This shows the end of Nora as a doll and Nora’s beginning of self awareness.