In Act I, Nora (who has done nothing but lied to everyone in the play so far) is faced with the internal conflict of fear and guilt. The reader is able to assume that Nora has borrowed money from Krogstad behind Torvald's back. Even worst, Nora reveals the fact that she forged her father's signature so that Krogstad would give her the loan. All of Nora's actions show me as the reader that Nora doesn't seem to think much about the consequences to her actions.
During the entire act, Nora seems to be hiding her true colors. She tries to make it seem like she always does what her husband wants her to do and always does what she thinks she should be doing. Yet Nora is very independent from her husband secretly. Although some readers might say Nora is dumb and doesn't know what she's doing, I think she knows exactly what she's doing. She does things in very sneaky ways and so far she's been able to get away with everything which irks me. She purposely makes everyone think she's so useless and innocent when in fact she really isn't.
This play can relate to many people in high school because a lot of teenagers pretend to be something they are not. They do it just to fit in and it shouldn't be that way because everyone should feel free to be themselves no matter what the circumstances are. I think Nora doesn't act herself because she thinks that the role of women is to be a perfect stay-at-home wife who's very dependent of her husband. Therefore by acting the way she does, Nora tries to fit in society and the way society views women. Nora reminds me of Ruth from A Raisin in the Sun who was also very dependent of her husband due to the way society viewed the role of women during that time period.
Nora let's her husband call her things like a 'squandering squirrel' and 'little skylark' which also bothers me. It is true that a husband has the obligation to protect and sometimes guide his wife. However, that doesn't mean he should be calling her such absurd nicknames. Why doesn't he just call her something ravishing like beautiful or angel?
I agree with you 100% about compairing the play to teenagers around the world. Teenagers tend to pretend that they are what people in society want them to be. They hide their true identities, which in sme cases could be rather ravishing, and not horrible at all. Nora is just one of those people who trys to move along about life the easy way, and always taking the route less dense. She accomplishes these goals by how you mentioned "lying, and hiding her true colors."
ReplyDeleteBUT, i do believe that she is rather smart, and not so "dumb" (;
@ brandon: yea Nora really isn't thaaat much of an idiot :)
ReplyDelete" She purposely makes everyone think she's so useless and innocent when in fact she really isn't."
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on this point. Nora plays the part of a dumb person, but there is more to her. People don't expect Nora to be smart or have devious plans. They overlook her intelligence because of the way she acts.
I love how you describe nora!
ReplyDeleteI agree...Nora is stupid. She is completely oblivious to the consequences of her actions.
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