discussion post on Drama

I believe Nora is feeling a lot of anxiety and uncertainty. For most of her life, it is alluded to the fact that she has never gone without, even when her mother was not present, she had Nurse Anne (Ibsen, “A Doll’s House”, 1184.). We also know that Torvald has strong feelings about taking on debt and loans, it is a sore subject that causes them strife. (Ibsen, “A Doll’s House”, 1165.). It is revealed that Nora was willing to forge her father’s signature to save Torvald’s life to obtain the loan from Krogstad (Ibsen, “A Doll’s House”, 1194), so there would be no one else to turn to if the truth gets revealed against her will. Nora seems like a very flighty character already, living in a dream world where she does not have to face repercussions, and this may be due to her continuance sheltered lifestyle provided by  her father and her husband. So, dealing with this matter on her own is causing her a great amount of stress and anxiety. She contemplates running away or killing herself (Ibsen, “A Doll’s House”, 1184, 1193), both are very drastic options. Which makes me believe Nora is aware the Tolvard’s affection is very conditional. As much as they show affection and say they are in love, it seems to be an act. If the couple were truly in love then Nora’s options should include confessing the ordeal to her husband, but it is the exact opposite. I am not saying Tolvard would not have a reason to be upset, but rationally a person would rather confess to their spouse than runaway or commit suicide. The scene when she is madly spinning to practice for the Tarantella is an accurate representation of what is going on in her mind, chaos, but by the end of it she has come to a conclusion as to what she will do (Ibsen, “A Doll’s House”, 1197-,1198). Nora is under a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety, but I think she also feels certain and just in her actions.