Preview

Deception In A Doll's House

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
955 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Deception In A Doll's House
Elizabeth Threats
Professor William Isaacson
English 102 MA1
4 May 2013
A Doll’s House This play is based on a marriage between two people. A relationship built not on trust and equality but on lies and deception. The play brings to life a woman’s role in society and the inequality between the sexes. The play introduces us to some shady characters. The first is Nora Helme the wife of Torvald Helmer. On the ouside she portrays herself to be a loving wife, devoted mother and a carefree spirit. Although she has been content in being a sheltered, protected and cared for housewife; Nora has never learned to openly challenge her surroundings. Nora has a secret that she is hiding from her husband. This secret will inevitably force Nora to confront her realities of the world and her marriage. A marriage based on deception and lies. The author uses Nora’s debt as the initial start of the Helmer’s deceptive marital relationship. Nora, unbeknown to her husband, borrows money from an acquaintance of theirs named Krogstad. Nora’s deception is based on love and not greed or selfishness. Nora feels she has to lie to her husband because of his unfair attitude and stereotypes about gender roles. Due to Nora’s immaturity with business matters, …show more content…
Torvald’s selfish reaction to Krogstad’s letter opens Nora’s eyes to the harsh truth about her relationship with Torvald. Torvald once confessed to Nora that he fantasized about risking his life to save hers. Given the opportunity however, Torvald shows no intention of sacrificing anything for Nora; thinking only of himself and appearances. Nora’s concept of a wonderful life and the moment when she and Torvald would achieve a perfect marriage would never be obtained. Nora has learned that these can only be obtained when a couple is deeply committed to respect each other’s personal
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The Yellow Wallpaper Analytical Essay
    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Yellow Wallpaper Analytical Essay

    Nora Helmer- Seems happy in the beginning of the play. Teasing Torwald, speaking that she is so excited that his job is giving him more money and loves their family and friends. She is just like a doll, pampered, perfect and pretty. Torwald refers to her as a “silly girl”. She understands the business details related to the debt she has accumulated by taking out a loan to preserve Torvald’s health says that she is brave and intelligent and shows how she is courageous by breaking the law for her husband.…

    • 667 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Nora Dramatic Irony
    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Nora Dramatic Irony

    Nora counts the remaining hours of her life after the rehearsal because she thinks she is going to sacrifice herself, before her husband would sacrifice himself for her. Both sacrifices never occur and the theme of the play is a twisted irony to the separation and uncertainty of life. Torvald’s “helpless little thing”, Nora, ironically becomes stronger, confident, independent and serious in life. Torvald’s so imagined possession, his little doll, his beautiful treasure becomes ironically a complete stranger to…

    • 886 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    A Doll's House Character Analysis
    • 2454 Words
    • 10 Pages

    A Doll's House Character Analysis

    At the start of the play, Nora is seen as a caring mother and wife; however, this is an affectation of joy and contentment. In reality, her true character is held enslaved by her tyrannical husband. Her demeaning nicknames, “skylark” and “little song bird” truly are a metaphor for her mental and physical imprisonment to the societal roles of being a mother and wife. Nora accepts this captivity, however, evident through her own use of her nicknames throughout the story in order to pry money from her husband and follow all of his commands. At this point, the audience begins to sense superficiality and materialistic behavior from Nora, but this view soon changes as Ibsen reveals his realistic writing style. Deceit is first seen as she consumes macaroons secretively, in spite of her husband’s disapproval. She begins to reassure to Torvald that she, “should not think of going against (his) wishes’,”(Ibsen,1.4) and is dishonest once again when telling him Chritine Linde and Dr. Rank brought her the desserts. This fraudulence continues as she searches for a way to hastily pay a debt which her financially independent husband is unaware of. She hides the truth from her husband in the same manner she participates in a game of “hide-and-seek” with her…

    • 2454 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Beowulf Model of an epic hero
    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Beowulf Model of an epic hero

    Nora Helmer is considered a childish young woman in the play. She lets her husband control her; she acts as if she doesn’t have a mind of her own When she around her husband she acts like she is afraid of him. Every time he tells her to do something like a little puppet she does it. She doesn’t have money of her own so she have to ask him for it .He is always being sarcastic towards her. The only reason he treats her like a child is because she lets him. Since he is the man of the house she follows his rules and order like she is one of his children. Nora let her husband tells her what to do, what to eat and what clothes to were. While her husband to busy controlling her, he doesn’t realized that Nora has a little conniving mind of her own.…

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Nora Morally Ambiguous
    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Nora Morally Ambiguous

    Krogstadʻs blackmail and the disturbance that follows do not change Nora’s nature instead they open her eyes to her unfulfilled and underappreciated potential. She begins to inform Torvalds that she basically has been performing tricks for him during an argument. Nora…

    • 588 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How A Guilty Man Like That She Has To Lie By Henrik Ibsen
    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages

    How A Guilty Man Like That She Has To Lie By Henrik Ibsen

    Henrik Ibsen foreshadows potential trouble in the marriage between the self-centered Torvald and the immature Nora, as the reader learns that a big secret is creating tension in their relationship. We discover that Nora has mistakenly forged a signature, committing a crime which Krogstad is now using to blackmail her. Weary of what her husband’s reaction might be if she were to tell him the truth, Nora learns of Torvald’s thoughts on this subject after thinking Krogstad has forged someone’s name. “Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and be hypocrite with everyone, how he has to put on a false mask even in front of those he loves, even in front of his own wife and children.”(p. 50) This creates dramatic irony because although Torvald does not know it, what he is saying applies to his own wife. This also shows how Torvald is obsessed with image and reputation as he argues that this sin forces one to create a false image in order to maintain their reputation. The line that appears to scare Nora the most is when he says, “ Most of the people who get into trouble early in life have had a mother who lies and cheats.”(p. 51) These lines create interest as it is almost as if Torvald knew exactly what to say to worry his wife. Nora, who has dedicated everything to her husband and children, does not believe the consequences of her mistake. “Corrupt my little children? Poison my home? It’s not…

    • 293 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Theatre Analysis of Henrik Ibsens 'a Dolls House'
    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Theatre Analysis of Henrik Ibsens 'a Dolls House'

    The twist in this play as in all of Ibsen’s works is the aspect of marriage. The Helmer’s are an unusual couple, and it is this difference in character that suits their compatibility and leads to their eventual downfall. Nora is timid and playful, a wild card of sorts who doesn’t shy away from indulging her desires, and seeming to lose any sleep over the consequences.…

    • 2000 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Doll House
    • 817 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A Doll House

    When Nora opens up about her secret to Mrs. Linde, she expresses to her, “I’ve got something to be proud of and happy for. I’m the one who saved Torvald’s life” (Isben 1716). Who wouldn’t want to have the opportunity to save their significant others life? Nora honestly felt like she had done the right thing for the man that she loved, even if it did mean having to go behind his back. When Nora is asked if Torvald knows she replies, “For heaven’s sake, no! Are you serious? He’s so strict on that subject” (Isben 1717). Nora explains that it would break up her happy beautiful home. This is a great example of the disrespect that Torvald shows Nora. She never felt comfortable telling him something so big, because she knew he would react horribly. Nora continues on and tells Mrs. Linde that she maybe could tell Torvald, “years from now, when I’m no longer attractive” (Isben 1717). This statement from Nora confirms that she really has no place in her marriage to say anything. The fact that she honestly believes that she should wait until Torvald isn’t as in love with her as he is now is ridiculous. No women should have to be so belittled to the fact that they are afraid to be honest.…

    • 817 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    What Is Tragic About Torvald Helmer as a Character?
    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages

    What Is Tragic About Torvald Helmer as a Character?

    Helmer is a tragic character because of his inability to understand the true concept of love and marriage. Throughout the play different types of love are shown through all of the characters; however it is clear that Nora and Torvald Helmer’s love isn’t the type of love that ‘real’ marriages are based on; their love is illusive. Nora herself comments that “being with Torvald is a little like being with papa,” suggesting that the relationship is more child-wife rather than wife, the equal. However, in Act Three where Nora finally realises the truth about her marriage, it is Helmer who becomes the child as he doesn’t fully realise that his marriage was never real and neither was his love for Nora, as Nora points out “you just thought it was fun to be in love with me.”…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    a doll house drama analysis
    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages

    a doll house drama analysis

    The plays main character, Nora Helmer depicts women behavior during the nineteenth century. In the beginning of the play Nora seems to portray to the image of most women during her time. She is very submissive and obedient to her husband, Torvald. Nora leads a double life in the play as a sheltered wife of an attorney and an independent risk taker, At first, Nora seems happy and affectionately responds to Torvalds’s teasing. However, this is just an act of Nora Helmer that we all later discovered. During the nineteenth century, women could not conduct business affairs and had no control over family finances (Hartman, 1999). Permission to do so was sought from the husband before doing such acts. Nora, “the little featherbrain”, a nickname given by her Torvald was just the opposite of that (Isben, 1879). She defied most of the rules. She ate macaroons and lied about it to her husband. She secretly forged her father’s signature, borrowed money without her husband’s permission, and boasted about it to her friend, Mrs. Linde (Isben, 1879). She was secretly proud of the sacrifice that she had made for her husband. However, Nora perception of her husband was totally out…

    • 925 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Importance of Overcoming Society’s Inequalities - Essay
    • 1136 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Importance of Overcoming Society’s Inequalities - Essay

    Gender-specific stereotypes have a long-standing history in the tradition of literature. Few people have the courage and perseverance to confront these stereotypes in the quest for gender equality. These gender roles and stereotypes were extremely prevalent in the 19th century Victorian society. In this time period, the woman’s role was to tend to the domestic matters of the home and to ensure that the children were well taken care of, while the men controlled the finances. The strict division of gender throughout the play, Doll’s House, is immediately illustrated through the set. Certain areas of the home are restricted for men only, such as Torvald’s office, and Nora’s space - the kitchen. In Ibsen’s Doll House, the main character, Nora, subverts conventional female roles and challenges the essentialist viewpoint of the 19th century Victorian society as shown through a close analysis of her character development.…

    • 1136 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Foil Characters in "A Doll's House"
    • 887 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Foil Characters in "A Doll's House"

    Nils Krogstad and Torvald Helmer are foils to each other. They both have children and are lawyers, even though Krogstad lost his license because he did a forgery. Krogstad did something immoral but so did Torvald; Torvald helped Nora’s father when he had done a bad thing. Torvald and Krogstad were childhood friends and now they work together at the bank. Even though they have the same professions as each other, Torvald’s position at the bank is much higher than Krogstad’s. Everyone hates Krogstad because he did an illegal act; on the other hand, everyone loves Torvald. The idea that Krogstad is the villain of the play is reinforced by the reactions that Nora displays whenever Krogstad is around. The reader eventually understands that Krogstad is a victim to circumstances; he committed forgery to help his children, not to help himself. Krogstad is hated by others for the crime he committed to help his children, yet Torvald is loved even though he committed a dishonest act to serve himself. Torvald helped Nora’s father in order to win favor with Nora and attain her as his wife. Krogstad no longer has a wife because she, Christine, left him for money.…

    • 887 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    A Doll House Essay
    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages

    A Doll House Essay

    A large deal of controversy has arisen about the play A Doll House, written by Henrik Ibsen. The controversy argues whether Ibsen’s play is feminist or not. In the play, we are introduced to a woman named Nora, who shows nothing but selfless love to her husband, Torvald Helmer, a highly respected banker. Many people argue that the play does not reflect notions of feminism, but on the contrary, many people, such as Joan Templeton, argue that this play does in fact, does contain indications of feminism. This argument can go back and forth, but with the evidence provided by Templeton and many situations in the play itself, it is easily understood that this play represents cases of feminism.…

    • 1142 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    A Doll S House Essay
    • 5553 Words
    • 14 Pages

    A Doll S House Essay

    The play, A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen, showcases a traditional marriage of a middle class couple in the Victorian Era. The marriages in the late nineteenth century were severely confining; the woman’s role was to be nurturing and submissive, while the man’s was to be powerful in both his work and domestic life. Similarly to these traditional matrimonies, the marriage of the protagonists, Nora and Torvald, emphasizes the implausibility of individuals to both meet the society’s expectations and achieve personal happiness. Hence, Ibsen exhibited this principle and inadvertently shocked society by exhibiting what most people believed to be “... a kind of godless androgyny; women,” such as the rebellious Nora, “...in refusing to be compliant, [a]re refusing to be women” (Templeton 13). Since men and women in the patriarchal society are conditioned to only accept women as daughters, wives, and mothers, both Nora and Torvald are submissive to society’s will; and so Torvald perpetuates this societal attitude without recognizing its injustice while Nora challenges it, thus reversing their traditional roles in society.…

    • 5553 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    A Doll's House: Nora Helmer
    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages

    A Doll's House: Nora Helmer

    The play opens on the day before Christmas. Nora returns home from shopping; although her husband is anticipating a promotion and raise, he still chides her excessive spending. In response, Nora flirts, pouts, and cajoles her husband as a child might and indeed Torvald addresses her as he might a child. Later that same day Mrs. Linde comes for a visit. Nora has not seen her dear friend in a long time and they have a lot of catching up to do. Nora confides in Mrs. Linde about some money that she borrowed from krogstag, a man that works for her husband at the bank. Krogstag has a shady past yet he is trying so hard to make a better life for him and his sons. Mrs. Linde's then confides in Nora that she married a rich man so that she could take care of her sick mother and her brother. She tells Nora that he passed away three years ago and left her penniless and that she has came to her hoping that she would talk to her husband about getting her a job. Krogstad also comes by for a visit to tell Nora she needs to repay him sooner or he will be forced to tell her husband. Nora does get Mrs. Linde a job but later finds out that it was Krogstad's job and that her husband fired him. After Krogstad is dismissed from his post at the bank he comes back and demands Nora get him his job back. He explains to Nora that he knows she forged her fathers name on the note and that if she does not get his job back for him he will be forced to reveal this to her husband. Nora pleads with Torvald to reinstate Krogstad, but he refuses. She is frantic, imagining that once Krogstad reveals the truth, Torvald will himself assume the…

    • 1613 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More

Related Topics