Nora Helmer - The Masterful Manipulator
Nora is an evolving character who progresses through the play from seemingly a naïve to mature mindset about the social norms which exist in their society. From the beginning of the play, Ibsen shines a light on the manipulative and seductive aspect of Nora. When talking with Mrs. Linde, Nora exposes her “big secret” and Ibsen displays her manipulative mindset through the stage direction “meditatively, and with half a smile” exemplifying her manipulative side as the visual imagery of “half” the smile infers Nora smirking and having a masterful plan as to not reveal the secret until she is “no longer as nice-looking as I am now” (Page 14). This exemplifies Nora’s seductive side as she is utilizing her attractive physique to lure in Torvald and possess him. This shows that although society patronizes her, Nora is fully understanding of the social norms and is manipulative of them to benefit her. Ibsen further depicts Nora’s manipulative character on Page 38 where Ibsen portrays...