Torvald Helmer: Sympathy Scale

Torvald Sympathy Scale

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen presents the audience with the character of Torvald Helmer, Nora Helmer’s husband. A deeper investigation into their relationship could be done, although the importance of this post is to identify whether he is to be sympathized with. 1879 is the year this play was printed and the era must be considered, which would benefit Mr.Helmer’s case as during the victorian times men's expectations were not as they are today. Although when analyzing the character as a whole, personally I have very little sympathy towards him. Beginning in Act 1 when his character is first introduced a strong sense of control is displayed when reading the way the way he behaves around his wife. “That is like a woman! But seriously, Nora, you know what I think about that. No debt, no borrowing”. This phrase has come from Nora’s purchase of macaroons, seems to be harmless although is turned into a lesson to his wife. One aspect is him down playing her capabilities by saying she is a girl and does not know how to deal with ‘his’ money. The other is his desire for her to stay in good shape, as she is his wife and he views her as an object rather than a human equal to him and if she is eating sugary foods her figure will change. The other factor that can be dissected from this sentence is how childish he treats her using his continuous ridiculous nicknames, such as: “ little skylark”,” little squirrel” and “little lark”. Emphasis on the word ‘little’ should be made as this is more evidence into supporting his view of his wife and as referring to the title, A Doll’s House, she is just a doll for decoration. It is understandable that during the victorian era this play was written in, Torvald’s behaviour could be considered as semi normal and typical. Although if an author like Henrik Ibsen could identify the wrongness in this realist play, it shows that it was not acceptable behaviour for a husband, even if can be called typical in that time period. As I am sure it was not only one man who identified these common issues in the relationships in Norway but was the only one to speak up on these issues. As the story continues and Nora’s scandal is revealed, as a reader I am said to believe that her motifs for her unknown ignorance to her illegal acts were out of love for her husband and as duty to her family. Her husband was indeed dying and the only way to save his life was to move to Italy and in order to do so, money was needed to be borrowed. It is unfair to state that Nora did not makes mistakes and have her own desired in mind during the process but the overlying theme throughout this situation was her strong will to save his life even if that involved making bad decisions. During Act 1, nora states “Is it imprudent to save your husband’s life?”. Showing later that her attempts were continuous in attempting to pay Krogstad off supports her longing to make things right again. And her wanting to protect her husband is so strong as she knows if he were to find out he would be so cruel and unforgiving that she does everything in her power for him not to find out. Although in Act 3 when he finally discovers the truth his immediate response is to criticize Nora in every way, instead of try to understand her point of view. “ What a horrible awakening! All these eight years-- she who was my pride and joy--a hypocrite, liar--worse, source--a criminal!” This hurtful words are exactly the reasons that lead up to Nora’s decision to leave him and start a new life. “Now you have destroyed all my happiness. You have ruined all my future”. His selfish behaviour is so apparent that there is no doubt their relationship fell apart. It becomes very clear that their relationship was never genuine or real in the first place. They did not understand each other like a husband and wife should, he did not treat her like he should’ve and in my opinion, deserved what he was left with. Maybe my opinion would have differed if he attempted to seek her opinion, and listened although that isn’t the case and therefore I cannot truly sympathize in anyway. Nora needed to get away from this self destructive relationship immediately and it was not healthy in anyway. Yes Torvald is left with two children and no wife, although he is to blame for this and his life will continue, it is definitely not the end of the world for him. With hope I can say he has used this life altering experience to reflect on his decisions and actions and readjust his lookout on life and treating women, hopefully he will be able to seek happiness in the future.