First Impressions of The Relationship

Running Head: A DOLL’ HOUSE
A Doll’s House
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

Question 1- What are your first impressions of the relationship between the Helmers? Do
Nora and Torvald seem to share an equal partnership in their marriage?
My first impression on Nora is that she is a woman having many aspects and she appears
to be a perfect wife and perfect mother. Notably, this impression is diminished with the progress
of the play when her husband shouts on her wastefulness. On the other hand, Torvald appears
immediately as a doting husband but after a few moments he is found to be treating his wife the
way through which a father would treat his daughter when she is going through an unsuitable
path:” Isn't it your duty to your husband and children?” (Tornqvist and Egil 1995). With the
progress of the play, I have found that in the beginning Nora and Torvald share a conventional
and middle-class marriage going through the standards of the time. Torvald on the other hand is
the man of the house and the breadwinner of the family who treats Nora as a little child who
needs protection from the world around. He also uses a variety of pet names for his wife that is
condescending: “I’ve been your doll-wife here, just as at home I was Daddy’s doll-child.” (Act
III) “. I have found that Ibsen has made and attempt of showing the condition of women in the
society and it is not unreasonable to infer that this is an uncommon arrangement. Moreover, it is
an arrangement to which the women who are married confirm without any question. Nora does
not show any such sign of resentment towards the patronizing manner of her husband Torvald.
Thus, it is for sure that they are not sharing an equal partnership in their marriage because it is
where one person is dominated by the other.
Question 2- What central issues are addressed in the first Act?
Torvald Nora Kristine Krogstad
Issue 1- The
theme of love
and marriage is
also shown as the

focal point of the
First Act where
the marriage of
Nora and
Torvald is
described along
with the marriage
of Mrs. Linde.
Evidence/quote Torvald uses
diminutive pet
names for his
wife such as
“little squirrel”,
“lark” and
“songbird”. He
also calls her
“little girl” and
“little one”
having
maintained the
atmosphere of
subordination
which is more
appropriate to a
father than for
Nora is the
protagonist of the
play and appears
as innocent as a
child and
entertains the
pampering
(dominating)
attitude of
Torvald. At last
she find the way
of getting free
from the
oppressive
condition.
. This marriage is
a contrast to the
marriage of Mrs.
Linde which
happens by the
end of the play
showing that
marriage and
love are founded
on the
materialistic
expectations
(Wharton 2019).
A rich lawyer
holding a
position in the
bank of Torvald.
He achieves his
goals through
unethical ways.
However, he is a
family man who
does everything
for his family
and children.