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Nora’s Journey to Independence

In: English and Literature

Submitted By 22rlweston
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Nora’s Journey to Independence

In the play of “A Doll’s House” by Henrik Ibsen, you will see as characters are introduced throughout the play their true personas are defined by their actions, not so much by what they say, but what they do. The characters are very contradictive throughout the whole play. The gap between appearance and reality is the reason the characters take part in the many types of deception in the play. The play takes you on a journey and explores the role of women in society during that time. There is a definitive moment which occurs in the play, which begins once the masquerade party is over and the Helmer’s are alone together. During this moment, I was able to truly grasp the true meaning of the poem.
When Torvald and Nora are together after the masquerade party, this was a conclusive moment as how this story was going to end. In Act III Nora said, “No, that’s it exactly. You don’t understand me, and I’ve never understood you either, until tonight. No, don’t interrupt me. I want you to listen to what I have to say. Torvald, I’m settling accounts with you.” (Ibsen, 2011, Act 3, p. 590) When Nora speaks of “settling accounts”, she’s really implying that she can’t deal with being in the marriage any longer and it’s time to clear the air. The moment delivers a shocking development where you begin to see Nora shed away her seemingly child-like behaviors and begin her maturation process. At this point Nora is fed up with the whole relationship. Nora now understands that she was always just a pawn to Torvald. Torvald tells Nora that he loves her, but when he realized that his image in society might be at risk because her choices. Torvald clearly was only concerned about his own well-being, showed no intention of sacrificing anything for Nora. He only thought himself and the implications on his social status. During the whole ordeal between

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