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Essay / A Subject of Reputation in A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen
“A Doll's House” by Henrik Ibsen is fundamentally concerning, but people are generally too concerned about reputation in society. Such concern will lead to the destruction of a person. Ibsen uses the characters in his play to emphasize the lack of concern for reputation. Living life as an individual who values reputation over something to some extent shows us that anyone with a higher name than others can be trusted. In the play "A Doll's House", Ibsen shows how Torvald, Mrs. Linde and Nora deserve their names. At the beginning of the play, Ibsen displays his disapproval of excessive obsession with reputation through his character Torvald in “A Doll's House.” Reputation is of paramount importance to Torvald, it is what motivates his behavior and defines all of his choices. Before conflict even arises, Torvald needs the world to think his family is ideal. Torvald forces Nora to leave the party early because "she was a success, a huge success." Was I supposed to let her stay after that? Spoil the effect? No thanks! ". The reader gets a glimpse of Torvald's obsession with reputation during this scene. Torvald needs his last impression at the party to be great, and once it is, he leaves with Nora whether he likes it or not. Ibsen shows that Torvald is so concerned with how his colleagues may read him that he denies Nora any ability to influence him, even if it is in his best interest. “Your father's reputation as a public official was not above suspicion. Mine is, and I hope it will continue to be, as long as I hold office? Torvald is so afraid of ruining his reputation that he risks offending his wife and damaging their marriage. Torvald and his traits are considered unsatisfactory and undesirable. Through the character of Torvald, Ibsen clearly shows that he is criticizing the idolatry of a perfect reputation. After learning of his wife's crime, Torvald agrees to stay, recognizing that he must "save the remains, the fragments, the appearance." Ibsen uses this crisis to show Torvald's true colors rather than the candy-coated act he displayed during the happy times of his marriage. Torvald doesn't care about getting his marriage back during this scene, and he only cares about how people can understand his family once his wife is convicted of forgery. Due to the play's tragic ending for Torvald, it is inexplicit that Torvald was the antagonist. Through his character Torvald, Ibsen makes it clear that he is criticizing the idolatry of a perfect reputation. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay Another main character in “A Doll's House,” who doesn't care about society's opinion of her reputation, is Mrs. Linde. From the beginning of the play, Mrs. Linde does not fit the standard “woman mold” that Nora fits. She comes to town “to look for work.” At the time this play was written, men were expected to be the workers and provide for the women. However, it is Mrs. Linde who looks for a job and eventually gets one at the bank. Ms. Linde is not involved in how society condemns her as a businesswoman, she simply wants to make a living with progressive work. She continues to ensure her tolerance of society throughout the book, and even when she agrees to marry Krogstad. Krogstad asks Ms. Linde, “Would you really do that?” Tell me, do you know everything about my past? during which she ?.