An analysis of torvald helmer in a doll's house

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An analysis of Torvald Helmer in ‘ A Dolls House’
Introduction
‘ A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen reflects on the complexes of married life. While the wife Nora Helmer has a different view point towards the basis of marriage being love; her husband Torvald Helmer thinks that marriage should be evaluated on the basis of honor. Nora has borrowed money, without the knowledge of her husband, for going to Italy to save his life. However, at the end of the play, Nora leaves her husband, as she feels the urge for liberating from the suffocation of her marriage with Torvald. Nora wants to start her own independent life, as revealed in the following lines: (A Doll’s House Summary)
” I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being just as you are-or, at all events, that I must try and become one… I can no longer content myself with what most people say or with what is found in books. I must think things over for myself and get to understand them.” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 197) (Source: http://www. dramatica. com/story/analyses/analyses/dollshouse. html ) (Storytelling Output Report)
Character analysis of Torvald Helmer
He enjoys authority
Torvald has been a lawyer. However, he later manages to get a position of authority in a bank, promising him huge monetary gains. While he finds delight in his new job; Torvald also enjoys his total authority at home, which enables him to have complete control over his wife. Ibsen has tried to depict that Torvald has, thus, never treated his wife as an equal partner. Instead he has been more engaged with the concern of his place and status in the society.(Character List—A doll’s House)
All-knowing provider
In the play, character of Torvald is essentially as an all-knowing provider who protects his wife like a child. He has been calling Nora by different names like ‘ little singing bird’ while showing his protection for her by saying:
” My frightened little singing-bird. […] I have broad wings to shelter you under. […] I will protect you like a hunted dove that I have saved from a hawks claws” (3. 257).”
(Source: http://www. shmoop. com/dolls-house/torvald-helmer. html )
However, Nora seems, initially, to be approving of Torvald’s such demeaning treatment, as is evident from her following words:
” Your squirrel would run about and do all her tricks if you would be nice, and do what she wants” (2. 92)” (Character analysis— Torvald Helmer)
Torvald’s narrow view of society
Ibsen has tried to depict the personal decadence while portraying the character of Torvald, as the author describes his lousy qualities. The author wanted to show Torvald as a shallow character who thinks his wife to be nothing more than an ornamented sex doll. At the same time, he treats his wife like a child, which shows that author might be trying to describe the feelings of incest that this man may be harboring within his amorous fantasies towards his wife Nora. (A Doll’s House—Torvald Helmer)
Conclusion
This play is more about the women liberation than the complexes of married life. Nora’s outside world comprised of only her husband, Torvald, throughout her marriage. However, she finally realizes the suffocation; she has suffered all the years, resulting in her breaking the bond.
Works-cited and Sources used
A Dolls House Summary, Retrieved on 20th July, 2011 from:
http://www. gradesaver. com/a-dolls-house/study-guide/short-summary/
A dolls House—Torvald Helmer, Retrieved on 20th July, 2011 from:
http://www. cliffsnotes. com/study_guide/literature/A-Doll-s-House-Character-Analysis- Nora-Helmer-Torvald-Helmer. id-80, pageNum-38. html
Character Analysis–Torvald Helmer, Retrieved on 20th July, 2011 from:
http://www. shmoop. com/dolls-house/torvald-helmer. html
Character List–A dolls House, Retrieved on 20th July, 2011 from:
http://www. sparknotes. com/lit/dollhouse/characters. html
Storytelling Output Report for ” A Dolls House”, Retrieved on 20th July, 2011 from:
http://www. dramatica. com/story/analyses/analyses/dollshouse. html