A Doll House Written by Henrik Ibsen

The three-act play “A Doll House” written by Henrik Ibsen represents the significance of the sacrificial role of women; parental and daughterly obligations, and unreliability of appearances. In Act I, The Helmers was planning a Christmas dinner for some of their close friends. With Torvald's new job managing the bank, their worries about money were finally in a better position than before. However, Torvald believes that Nora has a spending habit that is addressed continuously within the play, by calling her a “spendthrift” (Ibsen 822). Torvald scolds Nora by reminding her that if there's an emergency they will have to get a loan if she doesn't get her spending under control. He felt that this behavior started from her upbringing. That morning, Nora’s old friend Mrs. Linde had arrived off arrived on the ship, then appeared at her door after “ten long years” (Ibsen 825).

    In Act II, Nora places herself in a room while facing the dilemma of her big secret finally being exposed to her husband and pondering her escape of leaving her family for good. As Nora is waiting for her costume, she asks her nanny Anne-Marie what she believes will happen to the children if she decided to disappear.

It was an unusual situation, however; Nora began to question why she is being treated like a child. Nora finally becomes fed up with being treated like a child.  All these questions started to ponder in Nora's mind because she finally started to understand all the names her husband would call her. The secret began to hunt Nora because, she not only forged her dead father’s signature, but also borrowed money that is forbidden for a woman back in 1879 of the period the story. It was one way of saving her husband's life and expressing her love for her family. Nora finally shares with Linde the horrible secret she had been hiding from her husband. However, Krogstad was the man who knew this dark, deep secret that Nora was hiding. She needed a distraction from Krogstad by asking for help from Dr. Rank, the family friend who was dying and also had strong feelings toward Nora. She decided not to continue with his help due to becoming uncomfortable regarding his feelings toward her.

    In Act III, while waiting at the Helmer’s home, Krogstad came clearly with the intent to expose Nora’s secret to her husband. After, Krogstad learns that after “the twenty-ninth of September,” (Ibsen 839) which is the date of her father’s death. Krogstad started to put two and two together once he learned that Mrs. Linde is his replacement. During Nora's confession, Krogstad makes it clear that this document “in court, you'll be judged accordingly to the law” (Ibsen 840). When Krogstad decided to write a letter to Mr. Torvald revealing this big secret that has burdened Nora for so long that she didn't talk to her husband, to stop him from replacing him. In conclusion, Nora calmly asked Torvald to read the letter that Krogstad had mailed to him. After, Torvald learns of this big secret that Nora had been hiding. He blames her for ruining his life, but then said, “were not going to dwell on anything unpleasant,” (Ibsen 871). By this time, Nora had already made up in her mind that she was leaving as she changed her dress and made it clear that she is “not sleeping” here tonight. Nora makes it clear when she turns to Torvald and says, “take your ring back” along with giving the “keys” back. She also makes a statement that “the maids know all about keeping up the house,” (Ibsen 871) which was Nora's way of expressing her last goodbyes as she walks out.