Shown in A Doll’s House, the definition of a “human being” is men being the only one that is entitled to his own rights while women are to follow them. Torvald is the embodiment of that idea: “Nora, Nora! Just like a women! … NO DEBTS. Never borrow!” (Ibsen 13; act 1). Torvald labels women as spendthrifts and seems to believe that his wife is just like that. He scolds her like a father and daughter, but relishes over the idea of Nora being in need of his constant guidance. Often, he displays his dominance by referring her to nicknames. At one point, Torvald himself points that it is his responsibility to keep his wife safe: “...I’ve often wished that you might be in some great danger, so that I could risk my life, everything, just for you” (Ibsen
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All her life, Nora is viewed as a doll; “He [Papa] called his doll-child, and he played with me just as I use to play with my dolls. And when I came to live in your house-” (Ibsen 110; act 3). In contradiction to Nora’s childlike character, she is aware of how men in her life treat her. She has a sense of her relationship with Torvald is just the same as with her Papa’s- being a doll in their house. Through the play, Nora is viewed to be just a ditzy wife who follows her husband around like a lost puppy. But through her actions, she reveals that she is more intelligent and capable beyond what her friends and family think. Torvald and Nora’s definitions emphasize one common belief- human beings seek independence. Torvald embraces that his role in marriage is to take care of his wife, but he is individualistic in regards to his work. Nora desires freedom to the point she disobeys her husband. She truly believes that everybody is independent: “I must be by myself if I’m going to understand myself” (Ibsen 112; act 3). Overall, both of their beliefs share one common point, but Nora believes that everybody is their own person while Torvald believes in male
All her life, Nora is viewed as a doll; “He [Papa] called his doll-child, and he played with me just as I use to play with my dolls. And when I came to live in your house-” (Ibsen 110; act 3). In contradiction to Nora’s childlike character, she is aware of how men in her life treat her. She has a sense of her relationship with Torvald is just the same as with her Papa’s- being a doll in their house. Through the play, Nora is viewed to be just a ditzy wife who follows her husband around like a lost puppy. But through her actions, she reveals that she is more intelligent and capable beyond what her friends and family think. Torvald and Nora’s definitions emphasize one common belief- human beings seek independence. Torvald embraces that his role in marriage is to take care of his wife, but he is individualistic in regards to his work. Nora desires freedom to the point she disobeys her husband. She truly believes that everybody is independent: “I must be by myself if I’m going to understand myself” (Ibsen 112; act 3). Overall, both of their beliefs share one common point, but Nora believes that everybody is their own person while Torvald believes in male