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A Dolls House by Henrik Ibsen | Summary & Analysis

Course Hero・10 minutes read

Nora borrows money in secret to save her husband's life, gets blackmailed, and leaves her husband to seek independence.

Insights

  • Nora's act of borrowing money to save Torvald's life reveals her selflessness and willingness to sacrifice for her loved ones, setting the stage for the exploration of societal expectations and gender roles in the play.
  • The revelation of Nora's forgery and her subsequent decision to leave Torvald signify her empowerment and desire for autonomy, highlighting the transformative journey towards self-realization and independence.

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Recent questions

  • Why did Nora borrow money?

    To save her husband's life.

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Summary

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Nora's Christmas secret leads to liberation

  • Nora, a young wife and mother, enters her home with a Christmas tree, her husband Torvald teases her for spending too much money.
  • Nora requests money from Torvald for her Christmas present, concealing that she needs it to repay a secret loan.
  • Nora's childhood friend Christine visits, they discuss their lives, and Nora offers to help Christine secure a job at Torvald's bank.
  • Nora reveals to Christine how she saved Torvald's life by secretly borrowing money for them to spend a year in Italy.
  • Krogstad, the lender, arrives to meet Torvald, and Christine convinces Torvald to offer her a job at the bank.
  • Krogstad blackmails Nora to influence Torvald to let him keep his job, revealing Nora's forgery of her father's signature for the loan.
  • Torvald fires Krogstad immediately, and Nora considers seeking help from Dr. Rank, who confesses his love for her.
  • Torvald reads Krogstad's letter exposing Nora's loan and forgery, initially chastising her but forgiving her when Krogstad forgives the loan.
  • Nora leaves Torvald, realizing their marriage is a sham, seeking self-discovery and independence, while Torvald sinks into despair.
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