Money can be many things. It is one of the reasons as to why this most loved commodity has become a human being's obsession. Henrik Ibsen, in A Doll's House, looks at how money has enslaved human being and in some occasions made them behave insane or docile depending on an individual's disposition.
In A Doll's House, Nora seems to be in need of an endless supply of money to make the cogs of her house go by. Being a Christmas season, Nora wants the festivities to be flawless and that is why she goes overboard with her shopping. Helmer asks her whether she has been overspending and her answer is, this was their first Christmas that they needed not to worry about money after Helmer's big promotion (pg2). In this respect, Helmer is sceptical about Nora's grasp on basic financing. According to Helmer, they should have waited until the new appointment had come into effect before overspending. However, Nora is of the opinion that it should be sooner rather than later.
When we observe Helmer's mannerisms and conduct, he is more conservative with the use of money. With him, one is supposed to live within one's means. He does not share Nora's view that even if they ran out of cash they could borrow. Nora is the direct contrast of Helmer. She is unafraid of being in debt and when Helmer cautions her about it asking what she would do in case he died immediately after he had borrowed, she says she needn't worry about the debt anymore since the debtor had already died.
Nora's carefree spirit sees her secure a huge loan from Krogstad behind her husband's back. It was not for the want of a good life but for the life of her husband. Helmer had been seriously ill and the doctor had recommended they head South where the weather was tolerable. Knowing Helmer's fear of loans, Nora took it upon herself to rescue her husband by securing a loan.
The payment of loan proves to be a difficult task for Nora. Since she keeps it as a secret from her husband, Nora has to salvage the little from housekeeping and what Helmer gives her for wardrobe to pay it. Although everything is fine, changes in the bank threaten her secret.
When Helmer is promoted as a bank manager, he threatens to fire Krogstad a man to whom Nora owes a great deal. Krogstad on learning of his imminent dismissal threatens to tell on Nora if she doesn't stop her husband from firing him. Nora would have been okay with the secret being let out but for the little misdemeanour- she had committed forgery in order to secure the loan.
Apparently, Nora and Krogstad were to peas in the pod; they both had committed forgery. Krogstad had been disgraced in the society and the dismissal was a final blow to his career and standing in society. Nora, on the other hand, had been living on borrowed time.
Nora understands her husband well. He cannot be swayed by his wife's petitions and truly Helmer refuses flatfooted to reconsider Krogstad's situation. Armed with a letter, however, Krogstad is determined to destroy the Helmers.
When Helmer learns of Nora's treachery, he is ready to submit to Krogstad's demands. He issues edicts to which Nora has to abide. However, Krogstad under the persuasion of Mrs Linde decides not to punish the Helmers. Just as the bad news had thrown him into tantrums, the news of Krogstad's forgiveness drives Helmer into a frenzied celebration. Upon which Nora makes a decision to stand for herself if her husband doesn't.
It is money that drives health and wealth of the society and it is also the same money that tears apart a tight knit relationship between Helmer and his wife. Without money, one cannot sustain themselves as seen in Mrs Linde's situation. She had married to safeguard her family from poverty but the death of her rich husband had left her a pauper.
Ibsen seems to compel the society to revolve around the need for money. Whereas some are fearless and risk a lot to obtain it, others like Helmer are too careful that they are ready to die with a good name than risk the ridicule of society.
In A Doll's House, Nora seems to be in need of an endless supply of money to make the cogs of her house go by. Being a Christmas season, Nora wants the festivities to be flawless and that is why she goes overboard with her shopping. Helmer asks her whether she has been overspending and her answer is, this was their first Christmas that they needed not to worry about money after Helmer's big promotion (pg2). In this respect, Helmer is sceptical about Nora's grasp on basic financing. According to Helmer, they should have waited until the new appointment had come into effect before overspending. However, Nora is of the opinion that it should be sooner rather than later.
When we observe Helmer's mannerisms and conduct, he is more conservative with the use of money. With him, one is supposed to live within one's means. He does not share Nora's view that even if they ran out of cash they could borrow. Nora is the direct contrast of Helmer. She is unafraid of being in debt and when Helmer cautions her about it asking what she would do in case he died immediately after he had borrowed, she says she needn't worry about the debt anymore since the debtor had already died.
Nora's carefree spirit sees her secure a huge loan from Krogstad behind her husband's back. It was not for the want of a good life but for the life of her husband. Helmer had been seriously ill and the doctor had recommended they head South where the weather was tolerable. Knowing Helmer's fear of loans, Nora took it upon herself to rescue her husband by securing a loan.
The payment of loan proves to be a difficult task for Nora. Since she keeps it as a secret from her husband, Nora has to salvage the little from housekeeping and what Helmer gives her for wardrobe to pay it. Although everything is fine, changes in the bank threaten her secret.
When Helmer is promoted as a bank manager, he threatens to fire Krogstad a man to whom Nora owes a great deal. Krogstad on learning of his imminent dismissal threatens to tell on Nora if she doesn't stop her husband from firing him. Nora would have been okay with the secret being let out but for the little misdemeanour- she had committed forgery in order to secure the loan.
Apparently, Nora and Krogstad were to peas in the pod; they both had committed forgery. Krogstad had been disgraced in the society and the dismissal was a final blow to his career and standing in society. Nora, on the other hand, had been living on borrowed time.
Nora understands her husband well. He cannot be swayed by his wife's petitions and truly Helmer refuses flatfooted to reconsider Krogstad's situation. Armed with a letter, however, Krogstad is determined to destroy the Helmers.
When Helmer learns of Nora's treachery, he is ready to submit to Krogstad's demands. He issues edicts to which Nora has to abide. However, Krogstad under the persuasion of Mrs Linde decides not to punish the Helmers. Just as the bad news had thrown him into tantrums, the news of Krogstad's forgiveness drives Helmer into a frenzied celebration. Upon which Nora makes a decision to stand for herself if her husband doesn't.
It is money that drives health and wealth of the society and it is also the same money that tears apart a tight knit relationship between Helmer and his wife. Without money, one cannot sustain themselves as seen in Mrs Linde's situation. She had married to safeguard her family from poverty but the death of her rich husband had left her a pauper.
Ibsen seems to compel the society to revolve around the need for money. Whereas some are fearless and risk a lot to obtain it, others like Helmer are too careful that they are ready to die with a good name than risk the ridicule of society.
I like the notes on this
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