Nora+and+Torvald+(188-190)

Nora and Torvald Dialogue Page 188 (Helmer: "And I hear he's a good worker too...") to page 190 (Nora: "...Anything rather than that--anythng, whatever it is!")

Purpose
Shows the changes in Nora and Torvald's characters respectively (opposites of their previous characters) and foreshadows the revealing of Nora's secrets.

Synopsis
In this scene, Nora challenges Torvald for the first time by expressing that he is “petty.” This insult, as well as her incessant pleads to let Krogstad keep his job, catalyzes the firing process and Torvald immediately sends the letter to Krogstad, notifying him of his release from the Bank. Nora is thus frenzied as she continues to ask him to take the letter back. However, upon realization that there is nothing that can be done, Nora seems to turn to Dr. Rank for help.

Nora
The conversation shows a change in Nora’s character. Instead of the largely submissive and child-like wife she portrayed in Act One, Nora has become more direct and demanding. She no longer tries to cover up her potentially suspicious questions with comments about her excitement for Christmas and acts more boldly. This change in character furthers the dynamic nature of Nora’s character and foreshadows a future escape of Nora from the limits of the husband-ruled household (Act Three).

While Nora does show a slight change in character, however, she still maintains some of her submissive wife-like traits. When Torvald expresses disapproval at Nora’s comments, she seems to become fearful and shrink away.
 * Nora initially stands up to Torvald, telling him that his reason for firing Krogstad is “petty.” However, when Torvald disapprovingly inquires, “Petty? Do you think I’m petty?” Nora retracts from her initial boldness and tries to take back her statement: “No, Torvald dear—far from it…” (189).

Torvald
The conversation also shows a **slight** change in Torvald’s character. For the first time, Torvald does not let Nora have what she wants (contrary to her earlier requests for money, etc). Initially, when Nora begins expressing disapproving ideas, Torvald does start to treat her less like a ‘songbird,’ and more like an adult. Torvald’s anger upon Nora’s assertion that he is “petty,” is no longer a fatherly anger that involves ‘shaking a finger’ at her, but is now very direct and portrays him as infuriated. He reacts rather immaturely and childishly, deciding to do the exact opposite of what Nora requested, sending Krogstad's notice right away. Torvald's abnormal attitude towards Nora hints at a subconscious awareness of Nora's abnormal behavior and foreshadows Torvald's revelation of Nora's forgeries.

After sending the letter, however, Torvald returns to treating Nora like a child, calling her "Little Miss Stubborn," caressing her and telling her not to worry, as any trouble that occurred would be taken care of by himself, which suggests Torvald's lack of suspicion of irregularities in his family as well as his misunderstanding of Nora's pleads (he thought her pleads were because she loved him and feared for his safety).

While a small change in Torvald's character is implied, Torvald's originally passive attitude still prevails, as shown by the distance in his marriage. Torvald's marriage to Nora embodies a lack of effective communication as well as Torvald’s confidence in assuming Noras’s feelings and thoughts. In addition, a lack of truthful communication between husband and wife contributes to the distance between the two; Nora acts deceptively towards Torvald, while Torvald ‘s unwillingness to listen prevents him from discovering the true reason behind Nora's desperation to let Krogstad keep his job.

Torvald has the tendency to assume how Nora feels and attempts to comfort her based on these accusations. However, his comfort paradoxically has an opposite result and feeds her anxieties even more: “are you happy now? There-there- don’t look like a little frightened dove-the whole things just sheer imagination”. Torvald's soothing words ironically worsens the situation for Nora, causing her to experiences a high level of anxiety because Torvald is unable to grasp the full direness of the situation or understand the true reasons behind her pleads. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Torvald's clueless nature is also emphasized by calling her a dove, implying innocence and safety by saying this is all imaginary when in fact the forgery is very real and scary for Nora.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 90%;">Torvald also has the tendency to switch the focus of the conversation towards praising himself and how big of a person he is, “I can forgive your anxiety-though actually it’s rather insulting to me…”, or another example, “I shall have the necessary courage and strength, you’ll see that im’m man enough to take it all on myself." Such an attitude conveys Torvald's assertion of himself as the central figure of the household and the one who possesses the greatest authority as well as responsibilities.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Deception
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nora deceives Torvald into believing that her pleads to let Krogstad keep his job are because she fears for Torvald's safety; Nora allows Torvald to believe she loves him and does not want him to be criticized by newspapers like her father was. On the contrary, Nora is asking that Krogstad keep his job because Krogstad is blackmailing her and she does not wish for her husband to know, as that would both harm herself and suggest corruption of her family.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Irony
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">While Nora's main purpose in this conversation is to persuade Torvald to let Krogstad keep his job, she does the exact opposite. Her pleads ironically lead to a quicker dismissal of Krogstad instead.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Earlier, Nora seemed content with the fact that Torvald would take care of any troubles that came up, acting at ease. Now, ironically, she believes such notions are horrifying; when Torvald tells Nora he will take any blame that comes out of Krogstad's dismissal "on himself" (190) Nora is horrified and says that he "shall never have to do that," suggesting that she would take on the responsibilities a man should have (even if she knows it would get her in much trouble).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nora's desire to take responsibility for the problems that may come with Krogstad's dismissal could suggest her true fear that her husband would be wrongfully blamed, OR that she is very proud of what she has done despite her action's illegalities and does not want her husband to 'receive credit'.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Another ironic situation occurs when Torvald states that the trouble that may arrive at their household will be "shared as man and wife," (190). This statement is ironic, as during the time period of the play, responsibilities were taken upon by the authoritative husband. The wife had no rights and did not have any authority. By sharing his responsibilities, Torvald is suggesting that he is sharing his authority.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nora finds herself at a loss of what to do after Krogstad's notice is sent and her husband leaves the room. Instead of seeking solace in her family members or servants (usually the go-to's for problems) she ironically seeks Torvald's (perhaps) best friend, Dr. Rank.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nora
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">[//breathless//] [//horror-struck//] [//half crazy with fear, she stands as if rooted to the spot and whispers//] <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Nora speaks and acts in a frenzied manner as she attempts and fails to prevent Krogstad from being dismissed by Torvald. Her speech now short and concise which supports her change in character to direct as well as her emotional feelings of fear and unease. At the end of Act One, Nora also showed a shorter speech pattern, but in this scene, her dialogue has decreased even more and stage descriptions of her breathless and horror-struck nature convey a greater level of anxiety.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Torvald
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">[//shuffling his papers//] [//Caressing her//] <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Torvald interacts with his Bank papers much during this scene which shows that he is engrossed in his work. Similar to the end of Act One, Torvald's focus causes him to be passive about the irregularities of Nora's actions so that he is not suspicious of Nora's wrongdoings. Additionally, he caresses Nora, showing is complete lack of suspicion and false perception that she is innocent and merely afraid for his own well-being.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Letter
<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Krogstad's notice is the most important prop in this scene, as it physically shows the transformation of the play. Before the letter is sent, the play is more calm, as although Krogstad has made a threat towards Nora, Krogstad has not been fired; the situation seems safe. Sending the letter catalyzes the plot and sends it tumbling forward as the secrets of Nora's forgery (and many other businesses, such as her affairs with Dr. Rank) unfold for not only the audience but also for the characters in the play.