CHARACTER: TORVALD HELMER
Impact of naturalism on Torvald:
Naturalism aims to depict the conditions of human lives as realistically as possible. Therefore, Ibsen utilises a normal family's life in order to highlight the misconceptions of the society that had unfortunately plagued the minds of people.
As a result Ibsen's use of naturalism in A Doll's House highlights the unjust perception of women's as well as men's status that was illustrated by society during that era. Torvald may possibly be guilty of stubbornness however his actions are not cruel or heartless towards Nora, society has influenced him into being a controlling husband who treats his wife's needs and statements as if they are "silly" or invalid due to her gender. Torvald's persona explains his desire to fit into his social status and reputation that the norms of the 19th century had dictated. Additionally, gender roles as well as status within one's society were taken very seriously by the people and no one imagined a life outside the norm. Ibsen's utilised Torvald's character description of a bank manager with a wife and children in order to to emphasise the idea of naturalism as he aims to make the play very realistic. Such conception about status and reputation in terms of naturalism were evident throughout acts 1-3.
Naturalism aims to depict the conditions of human lives as realistically as possible. Therefore, Ibsen utilises a normal family's life in order to highlight the misconceptions of the society that had unfortunately plagued the minds of people.
As a result Ibsen's use of naturalism in A Doll's House highlights the unjust perception of women's as well as men's status that was illustrated by society during that era. Torvald may possibly be guilty of stubbornness however his actions are not cruel or heartless towards Nora, society has influenced him into being a controlling husband who treats his wife's needs and statements as if they are "silly" or invalid due to her gender. Torvald's persona explains his desire to fit into his social status and reputation that the norms of the 19th century had dictated. Additionally, gender roles as well as status within one's society were taken very seriously by the people and no one imagined a life outside the norm. Ibsen's utilised Torvald's character description of a bank manager with a wife and children in order to to emphasise the idea of naturalism as he aims to make the play very realistic. Such conception about status and reputation in terms of naturalism were evident throughout acts 1-3.
HELMER: "If you could keep what I give you and really buy yourself something with it but you'll spend it on all sorts of useless things for the house and then i'll have to put my hand in my pocket again"
-Tries to maintain his reputation as a man
-Imperative words emphasise his dominance over his wife
-Shows his status in the house as he emphasises that he has control of his wife's life, expenses and needs.
-Protector of social norms
-Tries to maintain his reputation as a man
-Imperative words emphasise his dominance over his wife
-Shows his status in the house as he emphasises that he has control of his wife's life, expenses and needs.
-Protector of social norms
HELMER: "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?" (p.62)
(When Nora suggester to Torvald to reconsider hiring Krogstad).
-Torvald shows he is very cautious about his reputation
-Does not appreciate others telling him what to do (He wants to be the manager)
-Was not acceptable to be weak.
(When Nora suggester to Torvald to reconsider hiring Krogstad).
-Torvald shows he is very cautious about his reputation
-Does not appreciate others telling him what to do (He wants to be the manager)
-Was not acceptable to be weak.
HELMER: "Did you expect me to drag you into all my worries - worries you couldn't possibly have helped me with" (p.97)
-Torvald did not see Nora at his level due to her gender -could not possibly comprehend situation
-Status of a man will always dominate the woman's.
-Torvald obeying norms
-Is honest with Nora due to his brainwash by society's ideologies that women do not have the mental capabilities of a man.
-Torvald did not see Nora at his level due to her gender -could not possibly comprehend situation
-Status of a man will always dominate the woman's.
-Torvald obeying norms
-Is honest with Nora due to his brainwash by society's ideologies that women do not have the mental capabilities of a man.
As naturalism refers to the intention of making plays very realistic, Ibsen emphasises the unjust norms that formed society through the use of Torvald's character throughout Acts 1-3 as he imposes his dominance in his status in order to uphold his reputation.