THE SACRIFICIAL ROLE OF WOMEN IN A DOLL’S HOUSE
One of the major issues handled in A Doll’s House is
that of the sacrificial role of women in the Victorian society. Self-sacrifice
is a virtue and both men and women can give up their own interests in order
to help others. In A Doll’s House, characters like Nora, Mrs. Linde and Anne
seem to be concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with their
own. Nora’s altruism is evident when she places the needs of her father, her
husband and her children before her own. She gives up so many things for the
sake of others.
Material comfort
After secretly taking a loan in order to save Torvald’s
, life Nora is forced to work painstakingly, with a view of repaying the loan. Since
a wife cannot borrow without her husband’s consent (pg 18), she is forced to conceal
the fact that she borrowed 250 pounds to facilitate the trip to Italy. She struggles
to repay the loan secretly without Torvald's knowledge.
Nora keeps the loan a secret from Torvald to avoid
hurting him and to protect his manly independence. She also does it to avoid
upsetting their mutual relationship. It would be painful and humiliating for
him to know a woman owed him anything. (P 20)
Nora reveals to Mrs. Linde how difficult it has
bees to repay the loan
“I
can tell you too that this affair has caused me a lot of worry.”
It’s been difficult to meet her engagements punctually. The quarterly interests and payment in installment have always been difficult to manage.
She has also had to save some money from her housekeeping money. She sacrifices
her material comfort by buying the simplest and cheapest things. All the while,
she makes sure Torvald has a good table and her children are smartly dressed.
Apart from saving, she has found other ways of
earning money. Last winter, she got a lot of copying to do. She did it every
evening until quite late and was desperately tired many a times.
“It’s
very difficult to keep an account of a business matter of that kind. Many a time
I was at my wits end" (pg. 22)
When she could not think of ways to procure the
money Nora would sit and fantasize about some rich old man who could let her
inherit all his possessions when he died.
Opinions & Desires
Nora also sacrifices her desire and her own opinions
in order to please her father and husband or at least to avoid upsetting them.
Nora feels that Torvald has never understood her.
“I have been greatly wronged, Torvald first
by papa and then by you.” (p 110)
At home Nora’s father told her his opinion about
everything and influenced her to have the same opinion. In order to avoid
straining their relationship, she would conceal the fact, if she differed with
him. To him she was a doll-child to be played with like she played with her
dolls. Nora feels that Torvald is no different from him. He arranges everything
according to his own taste and Nora is forced to follow suit or else pretend
to. She blames the two men for failing to make anything out of her life.
“I have existed merely to perform tricks
for you, Torvald” (pg. 111)
Torvald even forbids her from her from trifling
things like eating macaroons, and so she has to enjoy such pleasures discretely.
Nora sacrifices her own desires and opinions for the
sake of her father and her husband Torvald.
Self-worth & Respect
Thirdly, Nora also gives up her self-worth and
respect when she fraudulently obtains a loan in order to save Torvald's life.
“That
trip was to save my husband’s life. I couldn’t give that up.”
(pg.40)
Nora thinks the law is foolish since it forbids her
from sparing her dying father anxiety and care in order to save her husband’s
life. Krogstad opines that the law does not care about motives (pg41)
When Torvald leaves his office job after he marries
Nora, he overworks himself and falls dreadfully ill. The doctor says it was
necessary for him to go South (pg. 12). Nora tries to get him to go but her
efforts prove futile. She tries to coax him that she would love to travel
abroad like other young wives; she tries tears and entreaties and even suggests
that he raises a loan. He remains obstinately adamant and Nora is forced to
borrow money for the trip. (pg. 19)
Nora borrows money from Krogstad on the security of
a bond that her father was supposed to have inserted the date on which he
signed the paper. Since he was very ill, Nora forged his name with a view of
sparing him anxiety since she needed the money badly to save her husband who
was in a dangerous condition
Nora finds it impossible to agree that the law is
right
“According
to it, a woman has no right to spare her old dying father or to save her
husband life" (pg.
115)
Nora sacrifices her honour by securing a loan through
illicit procedures for the sake of love.
“I
did it for love’s sake.” (pg. 42)
Home & Family
Nora makes a major sacrifice by leaving her home and
her family in pursuit of self fulfillment. Nora is tired of the repressive
environment at Torvald’s home
“There
must be perfect freedom on both sides” (pg. 119)
In order to achieve self fulfillment Nora has to try
and educate herself.
“I
must try and educate myself. You are not the man to help me in that. I must do
it myself. And that is why I am going to leave you now”
(pg. 112)
Nora says that Torvald doesn’t understand her and
she has never understood him either. They have never had serious conversation for
the 8 years they have been married. Nora says she has never been happy, only merry
(pg. 111). She says their home has been akin to a playroom; and Torvald admits
that it’s true and even promises that things will be different. (pg. 112)
Nora discloses that her most sacred duties are the
duties to herself. She is no longer content with what most people say or what
is found in the books. She does not exactly know what is found in the books. She
does not exactly know what religion is. She thinks the law is wrong and that is
why she has to make this sacrifice.
“I
am going to see if I can make out who is right, the world or I.”
(pg. 115)
She says the children are in better hands than hers
since she leaves them in Anne’s care (pg. 118)
Torvald Helmer says that no man would sacrifice his
honour for the one he loves, to which Nora replies “it’s a thing hundreds of thousands of women have done” (p 117)
Mrs. Linde sacrifices her happiness and reputation with the aim of fulfilling her duties to
her family members, her bedridden mother and her young helpless brother. (pg.
14)
"You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and
two little brothers” (pg. 86)
Mrs. Linde is proud of what she did for her mother
and brothers.
SUMMARY
Nora's sacrifices:
- Material comfort
- Opinion & Desires
- Self-worth & respect
- Home & Family
Mrs. Linde's sacrifices:
- Happiness & reputation
Read the full essay on how Nora is portrayed as a selfless character.
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LEAVE A COMMENT: Do you think women are more selfless than men?
Well said. Indeed Nora's altruism keeps her family warm
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback brother.
DeleteGreat piece,great sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback.
DeleteGreat work... 👌
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback
DeleteThis has really helped me a lot.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome.
Deleteexcuswe me may i see the theme of sacrifice
ReplyDeleteWell said
ReplyDelete