Peculiar trait: On the surface Noras peculiar trait seems to be her obsession for money. Her internal peculiar trait is that she desires to become significant to her husband. She spends money on material objects to decorate their home and dress up the family. The impression of the home appears perfect, like a dolls house. Passion: Noras passion is to be a real human and not be unreal towards herself, her family, or her husband. She wants to be accepted and human like the rest of the world, and she tries to figure a way to make this possible.
When (Nora) lived with Papa, he used to tell me everything, so that I never had any opinions but his. And if I did have any of my own, I kept them quiet, because he wouldnt have like them. Since childhood Nora has not been able to express her own feelings. She has bottled everything up inside, and she has a passion to open up and show her true self. Problem: Norma has been a doll all her life. She has taken on others problems and kept her thoughts and feelings all to herself. It is now time for Norma to explain herself and deal with the facts. Norma forged her fathers signature on an I. O. U for two hundred and fifty pounds. She tries to do anything she can so her husband will not find out. Her husband just received a job at the bank; therefore, he could easily find out about the forgery Norma did.
For the first time in the play she gives her opinion and says that Helmer should not fire Krogstad. Helmer says, If the rumor got about that the new manager had allowed his wife to persuade him to change his mind-do you expect me to make a laughing stock of myself before my entire staff-give people the idea that I am open to outside influence?
Normas one opinion has made no influence on Helmer. Since she is referred to as an outsider it makes her feel even more doll-like when it comes to become significant and keeping Helmer from finding out about the forgery. Plan: Normas plan is to become significant to her husband. He is constantly complimenting her on her beautiful appearance, but never on who Norma is as a human being. When Norma and Helmer come home from the party and see Mrs. Linde, Helmer says (about Norma), Take a good look at her. Shes worth looking at, dont you think?
Isnt she unbelievably beautiful? Everyone at the party said so. Norma was beautifully dressed and enjoyed the party. She wanted to stay longer but Helmer didnt want her to stay any longer and, spoil the impression? This statement confirms that Helmer wanted to keep Norma (his doll) the way he liked her, rather then what she liked. Norma was ready for change. She was tired of being her fathers doll, now Helmers doll, and treating her children like her dolls. She wanted a real life, so she decided to change, and tell Helmer her real feelings.
Pitfall: Her pitfall is when she realizes that Helmer is not willing to change. He says, No man can be expected to sacrifice his honor, even for the person he loves. This saddens Nora and causes her to make the ultimate decision. She must decide whether she wants to keep being a doll, or be Nora, a human being with real feelings. Peril: When Nora faces Helmer and says, Weve been married for eight years. Does it ever occur to you that this is the first time that we two, you and I, man and wife, have ever had a serious talk together?
Then she says, You have never understood me. A great wrong has been done to me, Torvald. First by Papa, and then by you. Nora broken the plastic doll covering and has let her thoughts, feelings, and emotions show. Peace: Her peace came when she finally told Helmer what she thought. Her feelings had never been expressed and never had meaning to Helmer. She decided rather than be a doll for the rest of her life, she will live on her own, and become a human being with real, thoughts of her own.
