In Act Three, Torvald says, "From now on, forget happiness. Now it’s just about saving the remains, the wreckage, the appearance" (Ibsen 105).Torvald has superficial and shallow characteristics. Krogstad is a threat to Nora, but Torvald is consumed by other people's perceptions of him and his marriage. He is so focused on his business and social standings that he refuses to acknowledge Nora's feelings about her situation. He would rather Nora live unhappily in a facade of content than she ruin his image. His marriage is important to him, but not because of emotional ties; he only loves Nora for her beauty. Unconcerned with her well-being, Torvald proves himself to be selfish.
This is significant because it is an example of Ibsen's critique of 19th century marriage and gender roles. During the 19th century, women were still second-class citizens. They were denied rights and were often in unequal relationships, as men held more power. Marriages were often not for love, rather they were for social standing. Women were not valued for their potential, and men were seen as the only worthy people to hold a family or marriage together. Because of the nature of their relationship, Nora is expected to sacrifice her happiness in order to protect Torvald's ego, as she is a woman in a male-dominated society. Torvald is not to help her recover from her situation; he is only to look out for his own best interests. Roles in the relationship are valued more than trust, equality, and ethicality, proving Nora and Torvald's relationship to be an embodiment of the relationships that commonly existed during the 19th century.
No comments:
Post a Comment