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A Doll's House - Individuality in Social Roles

Torvald states this outright later in the play. "Can't I look at my most treasured possession? At all this loveliness that's mine and mine alone, completely and utterly mine"(956). It is not surprising that Torvald feels this way because the law of the time period in which this play is set agrees with him - she is indeed his property. Nora is well aware of society's definition of her role as a woman. It is the very definition she will eventually rebel against. "Tell me what to do, keep me right - as you always do"(949). By saying this, Nora was actually referring to Torvald coaching her in practicing the Tarantella, but Ibsen was using verbal irony to show us Nora's vision of Torvald. She knows what society and Torvald expect of her. It is a role she plays well - until she finds that the role has not served her well.
             Nora's inner conflicts revolve around her role as a married woman in this society and the gender conflicts that it causes. Nora is convinced Torvald will attempt to sacrifice himself for her. She has an image of the love a man has for his wife. She believes Torvald will try to take all of the guilt upon himself. She tells Torvald, "I was absolutely convinced you would come forward and take everything on yourself, and say: I am the guilty one . . . That was the miracle I went in hope and dread of. It was to prevent it that I was ready to end my life"(964). When he fails to react this way, Nora is disillusioned. Torvald does not love her the way she believes he does. She also realizes the restrictions placed on her by society do not agree with what she believes she should and could be. She recognizes that she wants, and needs, much more. "Hasn't it struck you this is the first time you and I, man and wife, have had a serious talk together?"(962) Obviously it "struck" Nora. She has come to realize the depths of Torvald's view of her, how she played into it and that she feels it is wrong.


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