Dependency Of Money In A Doll's House

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Henrik Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’ thematic emphasis on the dependency of money and extravagant wealth is explored through the relationships between characters and how they respectively view money. Wealth, and the glamorisation of excessive lifestyles are expressed within Nora and Torvald’s relationship through Nora’s unbridled enthusiasm regarding the prospect of Torvald receiving a higher salary. However additionally expressed through their relationship is yet another outlet in which Torvald exercises his authoritative dominance over Nora, and money is another aspect of their lives in which he dictates the use of. Though despite these constraints that Torvald enforces onto Nora, money liberates her in the sense that through her management of …show more content…
Money is yet another commodity in which Torvald controls within their relationship, and the degrading way in which he treats Nora is further emphasised through the matter of money. During their early conversation regarding the management of the household finances, Torvald consistently refers to her as being a “spendthrift”, illustrating how he views that she handles money in an irresponsible and wasteful manner. Their conflicting views over the practicality of money further drives Torvald to supress yet another aspect of her independent life. He insists that within their household there should be “no debts, never borrow!” and that “there’s always something inhibited…about a home built on credit”. Whilst through these comments he is unaware of the treachery that Nora had committed, it affirms that he believes money is a precious resource that should be managed responsibly, and discredits Noras ability regarding financial control. Throughout the conversation, Nora persistently requests money from Torvald, much to his dismay. It becomes evident through their exchanges that he views her as his personal accessory, as when he states that “It is very expensive for a man to keep such a pet”. This reveals that despite his love for fulfilling her materialistic desires, he utilises money in order to control her and further oppress her

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