Act I: Character Profiles

Consider the characters Ibsen introduces in the exposition (Act I). Who are they? What might
they represent? What is Ibsen saying about men and women during the Victorian era? Respond
to the questions below. You may work in your teams to discuss ideas. Make sure you include an
assertion, pieces of evidence, and commentary.

1. What is the representation of women reflected in Ibsen’s construction of ​Nora​ in Act I? Give
specific examples of Nora from Act I. What qualities are emphasized? How are we positioned by
Ibsen to accept or contest or reject Nora as a character?

Women are supposed to be quiet and have a helpless aire surrounding them. They are treated as
“doll-like” given that they are patronized and treated in a condescending manner while still being
coddled at the same time. We are positioned by Ibsen to contest Nora as a character through the
way her husband speaks to her, for example when asking for money as her Christmas gift
Torvald responds with a “don’t contradict me, Nora” but then follows it up with “sweet Nora”
(15) In this way, Nora is seen as compared to that of a young child in which she cannot
understand “adult things”.

2. How is ​Mrs. Linde ​represented? Compare Ibsen’s treatment of the construction of Mrs.
Linde’s character with that of Nora. What effect was he trying to achieve through this technique?

Mrs. Linda is represented as a serious foil character of Nora in her more practical view of the
world. Mrs. Linde hasn’t been sheltered from the harsh reality of the world unlike Nora who has
escaped any problems through her privilege. This can be seen when Mrs. Linde said “you know
so little about the hardships of this life” and recognized her as “still a child” (25). Additionally,
while Nora abandoned her father in his time of need at his deathbed, Mrs. Linde took care of her
mother for many years and her younger brothers as well. These foil characters are used to
acknowledge the privilege of the upper class compared to the harsh reality that the middle and
lower class face on a daily basis.

3. ​Torvald Helmer​ is Nora’s husband in A Doll’s House. List some of Torvald’s attitudes,
values and beliefs. What qualities of his are emphasized (privileged) in Act I? How are we
positioned to accept or contest (object to) Torvald as a character?
Torvald Helmer is seen as patronizing and a power hungry individual who enjoys treating his
wife as a child and acts like more of a father figure towards her rather than treating her like an
equal. He believes women to be objects of admiration and play things and; thus, treats them as
such, He is obsessed with his appearance before the public and in this way his privileged ways
are emphasized due to never having had to borrow money or commit a crime out of necessity.
Therefore, he looks down open these acts and openly condemns them as treacherous ways. We
are positioned to contest Torvald’s character because of the society we live in today in which
women and men are seen (for the most part) as equals. Additionally, his disregard for his wife’s
desires and his condomening of middle class necessities such as taking out a loan leads the
audience to object to Torvald as a character.

4. How is ​Krogstad​ introduced into the text? What message does Ibsen want the reader to adopt
in relation to this character? What makes you say this?

Krogstad is introduced as a villain in the text by the different characters yet it is quickly revealed
that his acts of evil are really acts of necessity and similar to that of Nora’s actions. Ibsen wants
the readers to adopt the message of being trapped in the corner and forced to fight for their
position in society despite all the odds being against them. This is because Ibsen is revealed as a
victim of circumstance in which society screwed him over in such a way that he could not
protect his family. However, rather than desiring respect for selfish reasons, Krogstad simply
does not want his sons’ reputations to be harmed by his actions.

5. What representations are made about ​men​ in this act? What is the discourse of masculinity
that is being mobilized?

Men are represented as the head of the household and high above women in terms of social
status and intellectual ability. The discourse of masculinity that is being mobilized is one where
men are expected to support their family financially and hold all the power over their wives and
make every decision for them and often against the desires of their significant other. Men hold
their public appearance to be of the utmost respect and desire to be respected by all parts of
society even more so than they desire to be happy in their own household.