Torvald+Helmer

Post a significant quotation below ( **arranged in chronological order** ) and explain why you find it striking (l **imiting yourself to 2-3 sentences). AVOID USING THE PHRASE "THIS QUOTATION" OR "THIS QUOTE".**
 * Something About Torvald: **

//**"When did my squirrel get in?"**// (Act I pg 44) Torvald refers to Nora as his "squirrel", this recurring animal motif used to establish Torvald's thoughts of her as a helpless little creature. Torvald and Nora's relationship is based on Torvald's own desires and what he wants the marriage to seem like. Nora is instructed to act like an innocent, dependent wife who needs Torvald's protection, and he refers to her as various different small creatures to convey this point. Wendy

**“Has the little spendthrift been out throwing money around again?”** Act I pg.44 Money plays a major conflict in the play, and this is the first time that it is discussed. When Torvald accuses Nora of “throwing around money” he calls her a “spendthrift” which displays his view on her, as she is someone to just anyhow spend money as if she is wasting it and has no knowledge of it. This is ironic because it foreshadows when he finds out that she took a loan to pay for his vacation, and he see’s it as spending unnecessary money. Shavonne

"**No debts! Never borrow! Something of freedom's lost-and something of beauty, too- from a home that's founded on borrowing and debt."** (Act I pg 44) In the first scene with Torvald, the idea of borrowing money and debt is foreshadowed as one of the plays major struggles and conflicts. Ironically, despite this advise from Nora's husband, Nora has not followed it and falls into a trap of debt, which later on happens to emerge as one of her struggles to gain freedom. Oliver

Nora is alarmed when Helmer brings up the idea that bad habits and traits are often inherited due to negative influences of the mother. Although Helmer is aware of the existence of deceitful mothers, at this point he will never guess that his own wife is actually one of those deceitful mothers. **(Jocelyn)**
 * “Almost everyone who has gone to the bad early in life has had a deceitful mother.” (ACT I, P.70)**

//**“Nora dear, I can forgive you this panic, even though basically you’re insulting me”** (Act II pg 79)// Among many other quotes in the last act, Torvald exemplifies just how self-centered and condescending he is. He treats his wife like he is placating a child, and attempts to push the blame onto others, while claiming to be able to take on the world himself. Riowena

**Do you know, Nora, I have often wished that you might be threatened by some great danger, so that I might risk my life's blood, and everything, for your sake.** (Act III) On the surface this may seem like Torvald is really in love with Nora and loves the idea of riding to her rescue, but on a different level I think that he probably enjoys the image of his heroic self more. What I mean is he probably sees himself getting fame and reputation for saving his damsel in distress as a way to improve his status in society. Michael Ren

**"Why shouldn't I look at my dearest treasure? - at all the beauty that is mine, all my very own?"** (Act III)

Torvald treats Nora as a prized possession (a doll/object) rather than a person. He states that he has the right to look at Nora because she belongs to him. Their exchange indicates his selfish nature; he only cares about what he wants, and does not take into consideration about what Nora wants. (Valerie)

**it's got to seem like everything between us is just as it was - to the outside world.** (Act III p106) Torvald is not truly concerned about his inner emotions for his wife or his wife's feelings for him. He is only worried about his own public image that may be threatened by news of his wife's deeds. Jerry Wang

Torvald's disbelief and denial of the forgery Nora committed shows that Torvald values morality very much, to an extent that he begins to swear to his wife and express abhorrence for her deed (even though the motive was to help Torvald overcome illness). The commanding tone and exclamation marks when he tells Nora to take the shawl off exemplifies the condescending way he treats Nora. HeRa
 * "It's so incredible, I just can't grasp it. But we'll have to try and put things to rights. Take of the shawl. I said, take it off!** (Act III pg 106)

Torvald's definitive tone can be viewed as a naive and self-centered expression for his ideology towards others. He clearly has no idea of what others are thinking by generalizing, and his true feelings towards his relationship with Nora is seen here. He prefers his job over his wife. Henry
 * " But there's no one who gives up honor for love**" (Act III p.113)

"From now on, forget happiness. Now it’s just about saving the remains, the wreckage, the appearance." (Act III) -Chris Hwa