A Dolls House, the Defeat of the Helmer Marriage

The Last Straw. Since time immemorial, many marriages have been unsuccessful as a result of alternative reasons, such as miscommunication, adultery, trust and abuse. In the play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, the Helmer’s marriage is a perfect example of one way in which a relationship can fail by Nora being the one to blame. Nora’s deceiving behavior and constant lies toward Torvald damages their relationship and makes it impossible to repair. Although one may argue that Torvald is also at fault, it is evident that Nora’s constant mishaps throughout the play are the main reason for the problems in the Helmer’s marriage. Nora’s lies range from small little white lies that she could possibly get away with to extensive ones in which include a substantial amount of repercussion that comes along with them, however Nora continues to be dishonest regardless of the impact these lies have on their marriage. Not to mention Nora’s close friend who points our her lies and tries to ameliorate Mrs. Helmer. In Henrik Ibsen’s play, A Doll’s House, the last straw in the Helmer marriage is caused by Nora’s immorality, which is displayed through her redundant behavior, her friends trying to help her, and one major lie that involves an abundance of consequences with it. Nora’s lie are a classic example of the reasons for relationships ending up in this tragic way. Firstly, Nora displays her habits of being dishonest through the little white lies she tells. When Dr. Rank confronts Nora about how he thought macaroons were forbidden in her house after she offers him one as a cover up, Nora quickly denies it by lying and saying that “Kristine gave them to her” (Ibsen 34) even though Ms. Linde did not do such a thing. This act of deceit expresses the idea that Nora has become immune to her own lies and does not acknowledge her mistakes because she is starting to believe them herself. Secondly, Nora’s friends detect that her crookedness may impact her marriage with Trovald. Once Kristine gains insight about Nora’s secret in which she is keeping from Torvald, she warns Nora that she “may regret that” she “did something behind his back” {Ibsen 27). The fact that Ms. Linde speaks to Nora about such a serious situation shows that Nora’s lies may encounter some repercussion. However Nora continues to be her dishonest self. Finally, Nora has been lying to Torvald about the debt she is currently facing as a result of her illegally borrowing money by sign off as her father. Nora confesses to Krogstad that she foraged her father’s signature by openly saying that she “signed Papa’s name.” (Ibsen 45). Although the money was used to help heal Torvald when he was ill, Nora still told a lie in which can be considered a federal offense. Nora’s decision to keep such a major secret from her husband shows that they do not have a complete trust and understanding within their relationship. Nora is intentionally dissembling to Torvald to save herself from getting into affliction with not only Trovald her beloved husband but the law as well; however she still does not realize the damage she is causing in which her marriage will fail. In the end dishonesty, deceit, and betrayal, are common factors that directly lead to the destruction of any healthy relationship and Nora’s was no exception. It was once said that you only get out what you put into life, and same holds true for relationships. If you start with betrayal and dishonesty it will crash and burn in the same manner. We always have natural want and desire to be dishonest which leads to many unsuccessful marriages. William Shakespeare once said “God hath given you one face, and you make yourself another.”

Works Cited
Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll 's House. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1999. Print.

Cited: Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll 's House. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee, 1999. Print.