The Ideology and Social Values in The Doll's House - Essay Example

Women are expected to behave according to some pre-defined pattern. Any deviation from that path will not be accepted by society. The money-oriented outlook can be seen everywhere and with everyone. Stenport considers Nora as an ‘economic being’ and her relation to the husband, sex for money. But the extent it affects the common life of the ordinary people is brutal and astonishing. Torvald, who care more about his personality and reputation is also money minded. He judges money and materialism as a way to avoid the complications of personal contact.

The first act itself shows the acquiescent attitude of Nora to her husband. Even if she is able to do things her own esp. dancing she seeks the help of her husband to teach her. But the surprising fact is that Torvald wishes his wife to be dependent on him for each and everything. Only being a husband to her he is highly demanding. But he never trusts her with money. Torvald fears that she will spend money on candy and pastry. According to the play, the first interactions between Nora and Torvald is that of money which measures the real bond between the human beings till the end.

It brings the gender difference, class and even the ethical values of the characters. Nora overjoys because of her husband’s new position in the bank. . Torvald love also counts like the money he acquires from his job. The supremacy over his wife and her silent obedience somehow satisfy him. Bu, he is outstanding to her only in the amount of money he makes. Nora never reveals the hidden secret to Torvald. Not only her husband but also Krogstad the one from whom she borrowed money, place their relations on the base of the dealings with money.

Life and affairs are a kind of dealings for both the predominating male characters. For Torvald, he is found more affiliated to the physical appearance of his wife. A consumerist mentality due to adherence to money matters is the leading force that controls life from beginning to end. This forces her to say “free. To be free, absolutely free. To spend time playing with the children. To have a clean beautiful house, the way Torvald likes it.” She is continuously dragged from her thoughts about home and children and forced to do a favor for Krogstad because of her bondage with money.

The conflicts arise due to her hiding the facts from her husband. Towards the end of the play, we see Torvald telling Nora about her forgery in an unexpected manner. He seems to save his reputation in front of all. He proves that he is not a dauntless husband to accept the fact. When Nora realizes her true self, she wants to go to that freedom which she had once anticipated. Here Torvalds money and mentality never helps him to reunite with his wife to lead another life. “It is because of you I‘ve made nothing of my life”.

Thus she had been released from the bondage of money and materialism.