Discussion Topic
Torvald's Reaction to Krogstad's Letters and Its Impact on Nora's Realization
Summary:
In Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House, Torvald's reaction to Krogstad's letters reveals his selfishness and triggers Nora's realization of her role as a 'doll' in their marriage. Torvald's initial fury is driven by concern for his reputation, not empathy for Nora. When the threat is removed, he quickly forgives her, highlighting his self-centeredness. This response underscores to Nora that Torvald values his image over their relationship, prompting her to seek independence and redefine her identity.
How does Torvald react to Krogstad's letters in A Doll's House?
After reading the first letter, Torvald solidifies his core feelings toward his wife. He immediately explodes into angry outbursts toward her. Consider the following lines Torvald hurls at Nora:
You stay right here and give me a reckoning.
In all these eight years—she who was my pride and joy—a hypocrite, a liar—worse, worse—a criminal! How infinitely disgusting it all is!
Now you're wrecked all my happiness—ruined my whole future.
You can't be allowed to bring up the children; I don't dare trust you with them.
When Torvald's image of Nora suddenly doesn't fit with the reality of the woman who stands before him, he tries to actively oppress her spirit. He is cruel, vindictive, and filled with hate. He tries to strip her of her dignity and of her children. Torvald's reflex instinct is to hurt Nora when she finds herself in a bind and to only think of...
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how her actions will impacthim. He proves himself incredibly selfish.
Torvald's tone quickly shifts when he reads the second letter, but his self-absorbed spirit remains the same. His immediate reaction is self-preservation, noted in the lines "Yes, yes, it's true. I'm saved. Nora, I'm saved!" He then delivers a line of incredible verbal irony:
You hear me, Nora? You don't seem to realize—it's over.
It is likely at this point that Nora begins to realize that it is over, but not in the way her husband intends. He questions her "frozen look" as he tells her that he as "forgiven [her]." Nora is no longer in need of forgiveness, and Torvald's reactions to the two letters provides the shift in perspective she needs to make choices of her own.
Torvald's response to the two letters tells us an awful lot about him. (With the emphasis very much on the "awful".) He is absolutely furious when he reads Krogstad's first letter, not so much because Nora broke the law in committing fraud, but because of the implications that this shocking revelation could well have for his career in banking.
Torvald's not in the slightest bit interested in what Nora's motivations may have been; as always, he's thinking of himself and what this scandal may do to his good name. Indeed, so desperate is Torvald to protect his reputation that he resolves to pay off Krogstad for his silence.
But once Torvald receives Krogstad's second letter and realizes, to his great relief, that Krogstad's not going to blackmail him after all, his mood suddenly changes. Now he feels that life in the Helmer household can go back to what it was, as if nothing has happened. It's as if Nora didn't really commit fraud after all or Torvald didn't really just scream at her, calling her a liar and a hypocrite.
Once again, we see Torvald's selfishness at work. So long as he's alright, so long as he can maintain the facade of his own little fantasy world of social respectability, then no one else's feelings matter.
How does Torvald's response to Krogstad's letter trigger Nora's realization of her 'doll' role in A Doll's House?
Upon performing a close reading of A Doll's House , the reader will realize that Nora's search for identity permeates the play much more than she lets out in her dialogues. One of the earlier instances of this occurs during Nora's first meeting with Mrs. Linde.
NORA:Come here. [Pulls her down on the sofa beside her.] Now I will show you that I too have something to be proud and glad of. It was I who saved Torvald's life.
During their conversation, it is evident that Nora has an inner desire to give herself a role within the family. This is why she confesses to Linde her indiscreet behavior for the sake of Torvald. Already, as early as Act I, there is a strong indication that Nora wants to either get or bestow upon herself some kind of validation.
Nora:[Wags her finger at [Linde]] But “Nora, Nora” is not so silly as you think. We have not been in a position for me to waste money. We have both had to work.
After this first confession, the play begins to crack into more of Nora's secret, as well as into her emotions. This his how we learn that she essentially lives in fear of that moment when Torvald learns the truth. However, Nora contradicts herself in bouts of denial, making herself belief that Torvald will understand; telling herself (through several instances of "talking aloud" to others), that her sacrifice has a purpose, and a reason. This is clearly Nora's way of trying to define her sense of value, despite of the fact that she has none of this value restored in her current situation.
NORA:[appears buried in thought for a short time, then tosses her head]. Nonsense! Trying to frighten me like that!—I am not so silly as he thinks. [Begins to busy herself putting the children's things in order.] And yet—? No, it's impossible! I did it for love's sake.
This being said, we can safely conclude that Nora "had seen it coming". She internally knew that the end will undoubtedly come in the form of Torvald's final rejection. Like she says over and over to herself, "she is not as silly as "he" thinks", and she has been preparing herself mentally for that final moment.
Therefore, when it finally happens, we do not see Nora go into a hysterical plea, nor does she even cry; she, for the first time ever, gracefully admits her flaw, and sums up all the dignity that she had been denied her entire life. Courageously and without a doubt, Nora grows up in that brief moment when all her doubts and fears come to life. However, by now, Nora is ready and tired of pondering, wondering, and lying to herself.
Conclusively, Nora stands up for herself after Torvald's horrible reaction, not as a result of that specific moment when Torvald proved to be an ungrateful husband, but after a lot of consideration and analysis which, in Nora's language, were disguised as jokes or random comments. Henrik Ibsen wanted to make it clear; Nora had live a LIFETIME as a useless part of the family unit and she was already tired of it. She just needed that one extra push to finally break free.