Relationship Between Equal In A Doll House

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A Relationship of Equals “I have loved you above everything else in the world” (Ibsen 717). This sentiment should be felt at the basis of every contemporary relationship between equals. As well as love, any relationship between equals should including feelings of: partnership, trust, and support. First of all, partnership is a key aspect in any contemporary relationship between equals. Without it, a relationship is not truly equal. Such was the case in Henrik Ibsen’s, “A Doll House.” In Ibsen’s play, the husband, Torvald, held the dominant role in the relationship. He was controlling, demeaning, and emotionally abusive towards his wife, Nora. So, while Nora cared for Torvald more than anything, and considered him her partner, he did not …show more content…

Without trust, two partners can not truly depend on one another. Again, Torvald and Nora’s marriage fits this description. After the truth about Nora’s borrowing arose, Torvald turned on her. The extent of his trust was shown when he told Nora that he, “ought to have suspected that something of the sort would happen” (Ibsen 717). Torvald basically told Nora that she was no better than her father, and that he was second-guessing his marriage to her (Ibsen 717). Obviously, the trust that he had for Nora was slim to none. Torvald’s complete absence of trust in Nora also led to the demise of their marriage. As seen in this play, trust is a key aspect in any relationship between …show more content…

Without it, the foundation of a relationship crumbles and falls into pieces. Yet again, Torvald and Nora’s marriage is a prime example of this. Torvald did not support Nora’s decision to leave him. Instead, he wanted her to stay in the house and work to “save the remains, the fragments, [and] the appearance” of a happy family (Ibsen 717). Although Torvald wanted to “save face” in the eyes of the community, he did not actually want to fix the issue. He also did not want Nora anywhere near the children, for fear that they would take up her habits (Ibsen 717). Nora caught on to the fact that Torvald did not and continually would not support any of her decisions. She even confronted him saying that he “never understood [her]” (Ibsen 720). Support, or lack thereof, was another big issue that led to Torvald and Nora’s separation. This also proved that support is a key aspect in a relationship between

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