A Doll's House By Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House portrays Nora Helmer as a selfish protagonist clouded by her egotistical nature with an inability to see beyond her own perspective. Although she is kept under the influence of her chauvinistic husband, Torvald Helmer, she uses him as a stepping stone for her own public appearances. Throughout the events leading up to Christmas day, Nora changes as a character and makes unprecedented revelations; however, even in her most liberating moments near the end of the play, we still see her self-centered personality come to the forefront. At the same time, as seemingly selfish as Nora may have been following the realization that she had been exploited by her husband as a public showpiece, her actions were in some ways legitimate. From a stranger’s perspective Torvald and Nora upheld an exemplary and inspiring household; however upon delving deeper into their lives, we notice flaws. Torvald works to keep the family of five financially stable while Nora raises the children and cleans the house. Although this may seem normal, we see that Nora is objectified and portrayed as a puppet to do as Torvald desires at command. Torvald refers to Nora as among other names . These

Linde, her long-time friend, further contribute to her self-centered personality. Ms. Linde has experienced the loss of her husband, has no children, and is currently unemployed with little money to live off of, unlike Nora who has raised a family and is financially secure. If placed in Nora’s position, I would be cautious to make comments regarding the success of my spouse’s work to a widow with no job of her own. However, Nora’s self-preoccupied nature has rendered her unable to see past her own indulgences. It is interesting to observe the similarities between Nora and Ms. Linde. Both married men with personal objectives; Nora married for her own luxury, while Ms. Linde married in order to support her brothers and bedridden