Deion Tatum
Prof. J.S. Handelman
Engl. 1102
17 November 2014
1
Ibsen’s Truth Between the Lines
Henrik Ibsen has messages crafted into A Doll’s House. He feeds the minds from the perception
of what is read, instead of plastering reality in each character and the play. Role play seems to be
the name of the game in Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House. The theme of appearance and reality is
presented in every aspect of Ibsen’s play. It plays an extremely important role in the development
of characters, and also makes statements about the social norms and gender roles in the
nineteenth century. Deception, the role of women, and individual/society is also major themes
portrayed within each character and aspect. The main characters in the play pretend to be
someone who others would like them to be, instead of being their true selves.
The person that stands out the most as a character whose role play is almost impeccable
to the point where it seems she leads two different lives is Nora. She is Torvald’s loving and
childish wife, and unknowingly, a strong, independent woman. As the play progresses, Nora’s
persona shifts from that of the everyday playful, trophy wife seen by Torvald and friends, to that
of a self-empowering, willing woman. Torvald, for all his faults, appears to be a loving, devoted
and generous husband. But it later transpires that he is a shallow, vain man, concerned mainly
with his public reputation, and too weak to deliver on his promise to shoulder any burden that
would fall upon Nora. Krogstad appears to be a bitter, vengeful extortionist until he is reunited
with his true love, Mrs Linde, when he becomes more merciful and generous. Mrs Linde first
strikes us as self-sufficient, but we learn that she feels “empty” now that she has no one to look
after. Dr Rank acts the role of friend to Torvald and Nora, but we later discover the true motive
for his daily visits; he is in love with Nora. As the play progresses, the audience comes to learn
Deion Tatum
Prof. J.S. Handelman
Engl. 1102
17 November 2014
2
that due to a sickness Torvald had in the past, Nora in order to pay for a trip needed to save
Torvald’s life was forced to take a loan from a rich man known as Mr. Krogstad. There is a little
subtlety, Nora not only got this loan behind Torvald’s back, but in the legal process of obtaining
it, she was forced, due to the circumstances, to forge a signature so that she could get the money
in time to save her husband’s life. It is impressive that Nora was able to get the loan as Nora’s
friend, Mrs. Linden, remarks “a wife can’t borrow [money] without her husband’s consent”
(Ibsen 848). This implies Nora is not completely a money loving friend who just follows every
instruction given by her husband, but she is a willing and determined individual who does what
