A Doll s House By Henrik Ibsen - 1118 Words

A Doll House The play A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen was written in 1879 and is about a middle-class marriage in the nineteenth century. Social and economic conditions affect people in different ways, but in this play it causes conflict within Torvald and Nora’s marriage. The main characters are Torvald, Nora, Mrs. Linde, Krogstad, and Anne-Marie. Dr. Rank also plays a small part in the play. Throughout the play you read how each one of these characters had some problem with their wealth or social standing. Applying a Marxist perspective could help readers understand the play better by describing the social and economic conditions that can be found. A Marxist approach is when â€Å"human consciousness is a product of social conditions and that†¦show more content†¦He constantly calls her a â€Å"spendthrift† and says â€Å"has the little spendthrift been out throwing money around again?† (1251). At the end of the play, he finds out that Nora forged a signature and borrowed money from Krogstad. After he read Krogstad’s letter, he told Nora that she â€Å"wrecked all his happiness-ruined his whole future† (1292). When Krogstad sent another letter saying he wouldn’t tell, Torvald starts saying that â€Å"he’s saved†. Nora had become the afterthought for him, he cared more about knowing his future and reputation was still going to be in tacked. Nora’s outlook on life is about financial conditions. From the very beginning of the play she was spending money and asking for more money. Throughout the play she becomes selfish and even though she knows that Torvald won’t get the raise until another three months she says repeatedly that â€Å"we can squander a little now. Now that you’ve got a big salary and are going to make piles and piles of money† (1251). She even tells Torvald that â€Å"we can borrow for that long† (1251). At the end of the play when Torvald changes the way he sees her after reading Krogstad’s letter, she finally realizes that you can’t depend on someone just for their financial security. Nora even tells Torvald that â€Å"You never loved me. You’ve thought it fun to be in love with me, that’s all† (1294). When Torvald and Nora sit down to talk at the end of the play she makes a point of saying â€Å"Doesn’t it occur to you that this is the first time we