Torvald Sympathy Scale
Prescribed gender roles in "A Doll's House" are prevalent in all characters that interact within the play. Nora, is a victim of society's norms as she places her moral conscious above the law of mankind which is considered a crime. However, in reality, the crime she committed was to save her husband which she loved. "According to it a woman has no right to spare her old dying father, or to save her husband's life. I can't believe that". This quote implies that the patriarchal laws existing in the roots of society condemn Nora for carrying out an act of justice.
In Ibsen's realist play there are no antagonistic characters and all the characters have flaws which are constantly observed by the reader. Torvald, a character who one would believe to be an un-respected male in today's society was acting the role of a "perfect" husband and provider for the family. However, in the climax of the play Ibsen depicts the flaws which Torvald pertains. "Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future...And I must sink to such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!". At first glance, this quote portrays Helmer's selfishness and appears self-centered reinforced through the repetition of "Me" and "I". This emphasizes that indeed Torvald and Nora were playing roles in a household and now that the truth will haunt him, he is outraged by Nora's actions. To the extent where he calls her "thoughtless" which reinforces his opinion of her being a doll he controls. Furthermore, Ibsen conveys Torvald in horrible light from the perspective of a 21st century human as he states that Nora is to be exempt from his household although everything will appear normal in the public's eyes. "The matter must be hushed up at any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just as before--but naturally only in the eyes of the world." Torvald desperately attempts to silence Nora in order for her not to tarnish his reputation and status in society. He wants to maintain a veneer of respectibility although it will differ within their household.
In contrast, however, one may interpret Torvald as being a victim of societal norms and expectations which acted as a burden. Torvald wants to maintain his reputation and level of respectability as that is all what Victorian society would have viewed as being the utmost priority. It is imperative for a man to create the "perfect household" for his children and wife as that was society's expectations. Sadly, Nora, unaware of society's diminishing morality sought to undertake a loan t save Torvald's life by forging thereby ruining and tarnishing Torvald's reputation and status in society. This is further exemplified through "But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves." Torvald clearly implies that the validation of honor is the most important societal status to maintain for the public's viewing. It is the backbone of a household and it's destruction will lead to further ramifications.
Overall, I feel sympathetic towards Torvald as he is indeed a victim of Victorian societal expectations which haunted him and his actions forever. Finally, even though in the eyes of modern day citizens of the 21st century, Torvalds' actions were disgusting and unforgivable. One must bare witness that the book was written in the 19th century and that such actions were considered norms. Therefore, I feel sympathetic towards Torvald.
In Ibsen's realist play there are no antagonistic characters and all the characters have flaws which are constantly observed by the reader. Torvald, a character who one would believe to be an un-respected male in today's society was acting the role of a "perfect" husband and provider for the family. However, in the climax of the play Ibsen depicts the flaws which Torvald pertains. "Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future...And I must sink to such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!". At first glance, this quote portrays Helmer's selfishness and appears self-centered reinforced through the repetition of "Me" and "I". This emphasizes that indeed Torvald and Nora were playing roles in a household and now that the truth will haunt him, he is outraged by Nora's actions. To the extent where he calls her "thoughtless" which reinforces his opinion of her being a doll he controls. Furthermore, Ibsen conveys Torvald in horrible light from the perspective of a 21st century human as he states that Nora is to be exempt from his household although everything will appear normal in the public's eyes. "The matter must be hushed up at any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just as before--but naturally only in the eyes of the world." Torvald desperately attempts to silence Nora in order for her not to tarnish his reputation and status in society. He wants to maintain a veneer of respectibility although it will differ within their household.
In contrast, however, one may interpret Torvald as being a victim of societal norms and expectations which acted as a burden. Torvald wants to maintain his reputation and level of respectability as that is all what Victorian society would have viewed as being the utmost priority. It is imperative for a man to create the "perfect household" for his children and wife as that was society's expectations. Sadly, Nora, unaware of society's diminishing morality sought to undertake a loan t save Torvald's life by forging thereby ruining and tarnishing Torvald's reputation and status in society. This is further exemplified through "But no man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves." Torvald clearly implies that the validation of honor is the most important societal status to maintain for the public's viewing. It is the backbone of a household and it's destruction will lead to further ramifications.
Overall, I feel sympathetic towards Torvald as he is indeed a victim of Victorian societal expectations which haunted him and his actions forever. Finally, even though in the eyes of modern day citizens of the 21st century, Torvalds' actions were disgusting and unforgivable. One must bare witness that the book was written in the 19th century and that such actions were considered norms. Therefore, I feel sympathetic towards Torvald.
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