Torvald Helmer Character Analysis in A Doll's House Essay Example

📌Category: A Doll's House, Plays
📌Words: 936
📌Pages: 4
📌Published: 21 February 2022

How would one understand the worldview of another when they are still in search of their own. Most people try to find themselves in other people, however that is only because of the feeling they get when they are with that person so sometimes people forget what they want and start to want to be like someone else instead of being themselves. In society people are in search to find themselves to become happy and understand their purpose in life. Similarly, discovering oneself is one of the central topics in Henrik Ibsen’s famous play: “A Doll's House”. It is seen throughout the play of how Torvald believes he must be the one to lead the family, to help “enlighten” Nora because she just “doesn’t understand”, however, he is slowly learning that some of these feelings he has aren't mutual.

Torvald is a prime example of a person who believes that men are on the top of the world and are in every way superior to women and that it is their job to educate them. For example, In Act 1 Torvald doesn’t think Nora’s beliefs are relevant and just tells her what they need to do.

“Helmer: That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing. There can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt. We two have kept bravely on the straight road so far, and we will go on the same way for the short time longer that there need be any struggle” (Ibsen, Act I). 

Ibsen chose to give Torvald a belief that women are careless of consequences, especially involving finances. The author also chose to give Torvald a strict financially conservative approach to life, so much that he believes “there can be no freedom or beauty about a home life that depends on borrowing and debt.”, this statement from Torvald Helmer may impact the drama and the audience in a few different ways. First, this distinct difference between how this husband and wife view the importance of money may be a source of conflict in the future.. Similarly, in another quote from the play Torvald explains that he forgives the wrongs Nora has done. 

“Helmer: My dear Nora, I can forgive the anxiety you are in, although really it is an insult to me. It is, indeed. Isn’t it an insult to think that I should be afraid of a starving quill-driver’s vengeance? But I forgive you nevertheless, because it is such an eloquent witness to your great love for me. And that is as it should be, my own darling Nora. Come what will, you may be sure I shall have both courage and strength if they be needed. You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself.” (Ibsen Act II). 

Torvald was given a belief that men are better than women and that they do not know as much as men do. Ibsen also chose to give Torvald an egotistical and a prideous personality to show this belief that he has. Torvald’s belief can be summed up when he says, “You will see I am man enough to take everything upon myself.”. However, because of these actions, Nora is starting to doubt herself even more which is ruining their relationship of “happiness”

Taking into account all the events in the play, it is seen that Torvalds beliefs and views are holding him back in his relationship with the one he loves the most, and as a person in general. Not only did his beliefs lead to the fallout of his marriage but also his closed mindset of women being independent eventually ended his happy life. The statement for when Torvald talks about being conservative could lead to Torvald being held back as some borrowing and debt could be a healthy way for him and Nora to build trust and bring them closer together. This choice could also lead to growth in that he can provide financially for this family without outside help. However, if he maintains this staunch anti-debt sentiment and solidified view on his devastating it is on his family, he may not be able to draw closer to his wife when something financially unexpected happens. In another case, when Torvald had a belief that men were better than women and how he is always right could bring growth to Torvald but in a bad way because in a way, he is just going to become more and more powerful and therefore probably start to control Nora. Nora from this emerging toxic relationship could cause her to become emotionally unstable or not confident in any task that she does anymore. If Torvald starts letting Nora have a say in some of the decisions that are being made, then the dilemma that they are in will be resolved and they will have a happy and healthy relationship again.

Some of the lessons from these characters and the play can be learned from their mistakes. For example, the main reason why Torvald couldn’t have known that there was a problem with Nora was because he never asked and that he expected Nora to be his “doll”. Another case of Torvald making his situation worse was him believing that he was always right and him being generally narrow-minded. These situations all led to Torvald having “plastic” happiness meaning that he never really experienced true happiness with the love of his life. Some notes that can be taken from this could be to have good communication with whoever you spend your time with so that there are no problems that build up which would also lead to having no trust issues. Being open-minded is also another thing that can be learned from this play, that always viewing another person's perspective could possibly lead you to a new way of thinking. In the end, the most important thing that can be learned from this play was to be someone of acceptance and understanding, and that not everyone is perfect.

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