The Play Doll House - Essay Example

One can notice that the relationships between the characters are gradually changing as the plot is unfolding (Ibsen 2).
As the play starts, Nora, after entering the living room, is greeted by her jovial husband. The relationship between the two appears to be intimate since they have been married for a long time and have overcome many problems. In addition, through the conversation the two have at the beginning, one can learn that they are concerned about their expenditures; they had not come from money, as depicted in the conversation with Mrs. Linde (Ibsen 45). The couple is interrupted when the maid announces the arrival of Dr. Rank, a friend of the family. Apart from Dr. Rank, the maid reported an unknown visitor, who, to Nora’s surprise, was Mrs. Linde, her former school friend. Dr. Rank goes to have a private conversation with Torvald, while Mrs. Linde is with Nora. Mrs. Linde comes to Nora with a serious problem: she is left in poverty with her deceased husband. Having no money, Linde comes back to town to look for a job. In the past, the two friends were remarkably close. She explains her situation to Nora, and Nora consoles her: she had the same problem of poverty, but overcame it. Nora convinces her husband to offer Christine a job as a desk secretary in the bank where he works (Ibsen 59).
While the two women are engrossed in their conversation, Krogstad arrives. From the way others reacted to his arrival, it seems that he was hated for being an immoral and evil person. Krogstad tells Nora of her husband’s intention of firing him and threatens to blackmail her as regards a certain signature Nora had once forged. Upon Krogstad’s arrival, most of the characters who know him begin to feel tension and uneasiness (Ibsen 32).
After Krogstad tried to blackmail Nora, after he threatened to spoil the family’s reputation that they had struggled to achieve for a long time, Nora tries to convince her husband not to sack Krogstad. Torvald did not like the employee at all and decided to fire him. Nora’s relationship with Torvald begins to be depicted as not an honest one. This is because she lied to Torvald concerning her forgery act. Nora had forged her father’s signature to acquire a certain loan, which she needed to cater for Torvald when he was ill (Ibsen 76). In addition, Nora lied to her husband when she started working to pay back the loan. She also lies when she asks Torvald not to fire Krogstad.
Another relationship revealed in the play is that between Dr. Rank and Nora. The two are family friends and talk cordially. Dr. Rank confides to Nora that he is about to die. Nora has sympathy for the doctor, taking into consideration the seriousness of the given situation. Dr. Rank then goes ahead and tells Nora of his secret love for her (Ibsen 107). Nora is shocked and responds that she has always loved him only as a friend.
In the last act, the relationship between Torvald and Nora changes. Torvald reads the letter initially sent to him by Krogstad, detailing what his wife’s crime entailed. He does not appreciate it; on the contrary, he berates her. He calls her an immoral and dishonest woman not capable of raising their children. This statement hurts Nora. Later, the maid brings a letter from Krogstad. He withdraws his accusations. Torvald is sorry and apologizes to Nora. His apology, however, falls on deaf ears, as Nora has realized that her husband does not care for her. He cares only for himself (Ibsen 112).
As regards moral conclusions that can be drawn from the play, one of them is that one should think before judging others and should be more compassionate, understanding, and forgiving (Ibsen 78). Read More