"A Doll's House"

In “A Doll’s House”, the character I am most interested in learning more about is definitely Nora, the wife of Torvald Helmer. She seems very greedy and money hungry and I have a feel that she is only using Torvald for his money. After watching the video clip of the first Act, it gave me a way different feel for the characters than actually just reading it.

At the beginning of the clip, it helps me to realize that this play takes place a while back probably in the 1800’s or so. They use the term “pounds”, instead of cash or dollars, Pg. 5 “Ten shillings-a pound-two pounds! Thank you, thank you, Torvald.” This quote also gives me a feel for how excited and dramatic Nora gets over money. Also, the setting of the play is during the winter, because at the beginning of the clip they show Nora riding on a horse carriage in the snow. There are no roads, which also gives me the idea that this play takes place a while back.

Nora walks into her home, wearing a beautiful looking red jacket with a feathered hood and wrist bands. She also has many gifts with her as to show that she was spending lots of money. She asks Torvald to come see what she bought, and he asks her if she has been spending money. She responds with a yes and tells him that they should go all out this Christmas because Torvald is due for a lot of money soon. Pg. 4 “Has my little spendthrift been wasting money again?” “Yes but, Torvald, this year we can really let ourselves go a little.” This quote signifies that Nora doesn’t care about there finances or what Torvald says about saving money, because all she wants to do is spend, spend, and spend some more, for the holidays. Torvold however, is wearing a nice three piece suit of some kind and looks like he enjoys his work and appreciates his wife no matter what she does. It also gives me a feel for how they must be wealthy in some way to be able to afford all the nice gifts and clothes.

Not only is Nora money hungry, but she also lies to Torvald about something really small. She eats a macaroon or two, after Torvald told her not too. Pg. 3 “She takes a packet of macaroons from her pocket and eats one or two.” When Torvald asks her about the macaroons and if she has been eating them, she responds with of coarse not, and wipes her mouth before making contact with him in the play. Pg. 6 “Not even taken a bite at a macaroon or two?” “No, Torvald, I assure you really.” Nora seems very immature towards Torvald and even lies to him. I believe that Torvald knows she has eaten some of the macaroons, and realizes that she is immature, but I think he also thinks that she is just really trying to have a good Christmas for them this year, but truly she is using him for money. Pg. 5 “If you really want to give me something, you might-you might” “ Well, out with it!” “ You might give me money, Torvald.” This makes me believe that Nora is most definitely using Torvald and he is a fool for not catching it. After telling Nora that she has spent too much money, he ask her what she would like for Christmas, and she responds with more money. This is very selfish and greedy of Nora and Torvald has to realize that she is no good.

In the play “A Doll’s House”, the characters are truly brought out in the film clip of the first Act. Nora is displayed as a very greedy and money hungry type of woman and Torvald is considered a fool for believing his wife and giving her what she wants. The characters are expressed as rich, because of there clothes and the way they spend there money. Also, the tone they use and the sweet names, help me realize that Torvald really believes that Nora is just immature when she is much more than just that. All these things are expressed in the play “A Doll’s House”.