Nora and Torvald in The Doll's House

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Recommended: Explain the importance of effective communication

People cannot survive on their own in this world, so they form relationships. Relationships play an important role in a person's life; it influences and defines one's character and ideals. It can make someone the happiest person in the world or the most miserable. In order to establish a stable and long lasting relationship, there must be proper communication at the base of this bond. The rules of proper communication include: listening to each other, understanding the other person's emotions and needs, truthfully expressing one's view's, and supporting each other during times of adversity. In Henrick Ibsen's play, A Doll's House, he uses the character development of Nora Helmer, the protagonist, and Torvald Helmer, the antagonist, to emphasize the importance of communication in a healthy relationship.

A Doll’s House was published in 1879 in Norway. Women of that time were expected to be good mothers and wives. They were expected to take care of the domestic responsibilities, while the men took care of business and dominated the home (Historical Content). Most husbands tended to dismisses their wives opinions as insignificant. This narrow-minded thinking led to disrespect and inequality in a marriage. Respect, equality, trust, loyalty, and most importantly love are create a healthy relationship. These qualities can be achieved through communication. The marriage of Torvald and Nora reflects a typical marriage of the nineteenth century. Through the relationship of Nora and Torvald, Henrick Ibsen explores the detrimental effect of a relationship that lacks communication and respect. By illustrating an unsatisfactory marriage, he hopes to inspire the audience to view women as equals and to change the status quo of re...

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...racteristics of Nora and Torvald reveal distance in a relationship without communication. To build a building, its basement must be strong; likewise, to build a relationship, the communication must be strong. Proper communication builds trust and loyalty. Eventually the partners will be able to depend on each other mutually. Many relationships, even today, break because two partners are unwilling to communicate or spend time together. A relationship should be strong so the couple can pass difficulties without struggle and doubt. Only through communication can a relationship withstand time.

Works Cited

Godden, Rumer, and Tasha Tudor. The Dolls' House. New York: Viking, 1962. Print.

"Historical Context." Historical Context. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2014.

"Tarantella: An Italian Folk Dance." Tarantella: An Italian Folk Dance. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2014.

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