How and Why does an individual come into conflict with society - Essay Example

This paper finds how and when an individual comes into conflict with the society and also whether an individual can be a good parent when he/she violates the societal norms in the 19th century. Both Krogstad and Nora violate the societal norms and may be considered bad parents, but in reality, both are good parents. While the society of the 19th century expected and encouraged a woman to go to any limits to save the life of her husband, the society would never approve of such unlawful, unethical and unreligious activities that Nora indulged in to save her husband’s life.

Being a husband from the 19th century, Torvald may first be angry with Nora for not trusting him enough to tell him the truth and being involved in all these secret activities. However, he should forgive her ultimately because after all, whatever she did was for his sake. The play also suggests that Torvald has this tendency of realization like he does realize and appreciate Nora’s efforts for decorating the Christmas Tree which was later ruined by the cat. Torvald says to Nora, “You had the best of intentions to please us all, and that’s the main thing.

But it is a good thing that our hard times are over” (Ibsen, 1925, p. 12). Torvald could have said the same at Nora’s attempt of saving him by borrowing money from Krogstad, but he rather showed his selfish side. There is a limit to an individual’s patience which when crossed, the individual come into conflict with the society. Both Krogstad’s and Nora’s behaviors change when this limit is crossed. Krogstad’s passion for status and money is an outcome of the unfortunate incidents that have happened in his life.

Linda left him for a richer man. This made Krogstad thirsty for position and status and he does all that is considered wrong by the society. On the other hand, Nora feels the selfishness of Torvald. She has proved that she