Skjhafk

Skjhafk

Breaking Free

A Doll’s House, by Henrik Ibsen explores the relationship between a husband and wife, Torvald and Nora, and the variety of influences that contribute to the breakdown of their marriage. At the end of the play Nora decides to leave Torvald and their children because of her husband’s controlling behavior regarding her appearance, the dehumanizing way that he treats her, and his uncontrolled aggression when he becomes angry. The most significant cause that leads to Nora’s decision to abandon her husband and her three children is Torvold’s overly controlling and condescending behavior and attitudes. Ibsen demonstrates Torvold’s desire to control Nora’s appearance when he says, “what’s important is, she made a success, an overwhelming success. You think I could have let her stay on after that and spoil the effect? Oh no; I took my little Capri girl” (1067). This shows that Nora’s appearance means everything to Torvold. She cannot be successful without him in the picture or by her side. It is not her performance that determines her success, it is whether or not her approves of her. After he goes on to remove her from the party to be alone instead of letting her dance and enjoy herself, it becomes clear that he wants to control the way she looks and acts in front of others. In addition he also treats her with disrespect by talking to her like a child when Nora says, “Brilliant! But then wasn’t I good as well to give in to you?” Helmer responds, “Good- because you give in to your husband’s judgment? All right, you little goose, I know you didn’t mean it like that. But I won’t disturb you” (1048). This illustrates that he cannot take her seriously. He also disrespects her by calling her a “little goose” when she is trying to talk about her dress for the party. He takes her idea for his own and she tries to gain his approval by saying that she is a good wife for agreeing. He says that it is her job to give in to her husband and he thinks she is...