The Relationship of Torvald and Nora Essay -- A Dolls House Henrik Ibs

The Relationship of Torvald and Nora At the beginning of the play, Nora and Helmer seem to have a happy marriage, although it is quite a childish relationship as Helmer often uses diminutive language and names such as ‘songbird’ or ‘squirrel to talk to Nora. However, by the end of the play Nora seems to have changed. The way Nora speaks changes from being a young girl to being like a woman. Finally, she leaves Torvald. At the start of the play Nora speaks in a very childish manner. You notice this when she says things such as ‘heaps’ and ‘the great blue sky’. This shows that she is mentally naive. She says these things as a child would say them. For example, the lines that she speaks have a lot of exclamation points and as Nora says some things she jumps up and down or claps her hands, this shows the childish way she acts. Torvald speaks to her in very over-romantic language and it seems as though maybe it isn’t real and their love is just part of a game. It is so romantic it seems as though he is trying to convince himself that he loves her. He says things such as ‘squirrel’, ‘lark’ or ‘songbird’. Songbirds are kept in cages so this may have something to do with Nora’s situation as Torvald controls the way she thinks and so she is caged in his world. Torvald also acts very paternally towards Nora and patronises her. Helmer uses the word ‘little’ a lot when he speaks to Nora. He calls her his ‘little Nora’ or ‘little creature’ which shows that their relationship seems to be more paternal than marital. Helmer treats Nora like a daughter. This is really noticeable when he does things like kissing her on the forehead or putting his arm around her. Helmer and Nora play a game and Nora manipulates Hel... ...lived by performing tricks for you, Torvald.’ She also says that Torvald had her as his ‘doll-wife’ and that Torvald played with her as the children played with their dolls. When she announces that she is going to leave him Torvald reacts at first by trying to forbid her from leaving ‘I shall not allow it! I forbid it!’ and since this doesn’t work Helmer tries to use religion as an argument so that she doesn’t leave. Also, he suggests that society will look on her badly, and then he pleads with her not to leave and says that he’ll change for her. However, Nora had her set view even though Helmer tried to use strength, religion and his sweet charm to keep her at home. In the end Nora leaves. She slams the door as she goes which shows a symbolic cut between her former life and the life that she is about to lead. She has finally left her Dolls house.