Change

Main Character Resolve

Once it is clear that Torvald puts himself and his reputation before his wife, Nora realizes she is no longer in love with him, gives her wedding ring back, and prepares to leave him.

Start

Main Character Growth

Nora must stand on her own and start a new life.

Be-er

Main Character Approach

As a child in her father’s home, and as a wife in her husband’s home, Nora does everything in her power to adapt herself to her environment-even to the detriment of her self-esteem and peace of mind:

“It’s perfectly true, Torvald. When I was at home with Papa he told me his opinion about everything, and so I had the same opinions; and if I differed from him I concealed the fact, because he would not have liked it. He called me his doll child, and he played with me just as I used to play with my dolls. And when I came to live with you…I was simply transferred from Papa’s hands to yours. You arranged everything according to your taste, and so I got the same tastes as you-or else I pretended to.” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 195)

Female

Main Character Mental Sex

Nora effectively assesses what she needs to do to maintain the balance in her marriage.

Decision

Story Driver

Mrs. Linde decides to visit Nora; Nora decides to forge her father’s signature to obtain a bond; Krogstad decides to threaten Nora with exposure if she doesn’t help him keep his position; Nora decides to leave her husband; and so forth.

Optionlock

Story Limit

Nora and Torvald’s marriage will strengthen if only “the wonderful thing happens”-it doesn’t.

Failure

Story Outcome

Nora’s decision to leave Torvald ends their marriage.

Good

Story Judgment

By leaving Torvald, Nora will have the opportunity to explore who she really is and learn to stand on her own.

Physics

Overall Story Throughline

Nora endeavors to maintain a happy marriage; Mrs. Linde comes to town looking for work (and Krogstad); Krogstad attempts to save his job and rehabilitate his nature; Torvald prepares to take on the position of bank manager; Dr. Rank readies himself for death.

Understanding

Overall Story Concern

Nora makes certain that Mrs. Linde understands she is not a superficial creature, but a strong woman who used her intelligence and wit to save her husband’s life; Krogstad is concerned that Mrs. Linde understand the desperate lengths he had to go to in the past; Dr. Rank informs Nora when he sends one of his cards with a black cross upon it, she is to understand the process of death has begun for him; Torvald cannot understand what he considers is Nora’s betrayal; and so forth.

Senses

Overall Story Issue

What Mrs. Linde sees in the Helmer household she interprets as concealment and falsehood; Krogstad senses Nora’s desperation and determines she may be contemplating suicide; Torvald fails in fully employing his senses to correctly interpret his wife’s actions and emotions; Dr. Rank’s impending death heightens his senses:

“‘Why shouldn’t one enjoy everything in this world?-at any rate as much as one man and as long as one can. The wine was capital-’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 185)

Interpretation

Overall Story Counterpoint

Overall Story Thematic Conflict
Senses vs.Interpretation

Aware

Overall Story Problem

Thinking of others to the exclusion of oneself is the source of problems in the Objective Story, although Torvald claims “‘No man will sacrifice his honor for the one he loves’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 199), Nora points out that “‘It is the thing hundreds of thousands of women have done’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 200); Mrs. Linde’s sensitivity to her loved ones without regard to her own needs has left her alone, a childless widow of a loveless marriage-arranged only to provide for her bedridden mother and two younger brothers. As a physician, Dr. Rank is conscious of other people’s disorder’s without considering his own illness.

Self-Aware

Overall Story Solution

Mrs. Linde becomes self-appreciating and allows herself happiness by planning to marry her first love, Krogstad. Once he is certain his own end is near, Dr. Rank takes the time to appreciate his own existence; and so forth.

Perception

Overall Story Symptom

Mrs. Linde perceives Nora to be superficial; Torvald perceives Nora as his “doll”; Nora chooses to see her husband as a man who loves her absolutely and will protect her at all costs; it is Nora’s perception that once she pays her debt and obtains her bond back, her problems will be resolved; and so forth.

Actuality

Overall Story Response

After spending time in the Helmer household, Mrs. Linde is able to determine the true state of affairs; Dr. Rank tells Nora the true state of his heart-he is in love with her; Mrs. Linde accepts Krogstad for who he actually is; and so forth.

Conditioning

Overall Story Catalyst

Mrs. Linde’s observation of how the Helmers are accustomed to interacting, leads her to change her mind about enabling Nora in her deception, and making sure Torvald will discover the truth. Torvald discovers the truth when he conforms to his habit of reading his daily mail, even after a late night at the fancy-dress ball.

State of Being

Overall Story Inhibitor

Because Nora is slow to realize her true self, an honest understanding between her and Torvald is long in coming; Dr. Rank’s revelation of his true self to Nora, and his feelings about her, stops her from asking him for a favor, a favor that may have put an end to her dilemma.

Doing

Overall Story Benchmark

Mrs. Linde makes progress towards fulfilling an empty life as she relocates to the Helmer’s town, enlists Nora’s help in finding a job, and revives her relationship with her former love, Krogstad; Krogstad is not satisfied with the slow progress he is making in rehabilitating himself, avoiding dishonorable acts and working his way up in the bank are not enough; the more Nora is able to do to pay off her debt, the more progress she feels she is making toward becoming carefree; and so forth.

Additional Overall Story Information →

Overall Story Throughline Synopsis

It is Nora’s wish to maintain her happy household; its only shadow being the payment of her debt to Krogstad. When Krogstad, driven by the fear of losing his position (and therefore, any chance at respectability) at the bank, ups the ante and threatens to blackmail Nora with exposure of the bond she forged, she frantically tries to satisfy his demand that she use her influence with her husband (the new bank manager) to keep his job. As Nora is unable to comply, Krogstad exposes her past actions to Torvald, who turns on Nora. Nora, expecting her husband to stand by her, is hurt and angered by his reaction. Once Krogstad, redeemed by the love of Mrs. Linde, returns the bond to Torvald, he forgives Nora and prepares to resume their marriage. In Nora’s eyes, the marriage is irretrievably damaged, and she leaves.

Mind

Main Character Throughline

Nora maintains the conviction that if she can keep Torvald from discovering her past indiscretion, all will be well in their marriage.

Memory

Main Character Concern

Nora is concerned with recalling the difficulty of obtaining the money necessary to save her husband’s life.

Evidence

Main Character Issue

Krogstad has evidence that Nora forged her father’s signature and is blackmailing Nora to influence her husband to keep him on at the bank; Nora’s adherence to this pressure serves to arouse Torvald’s suspicions.

Suspicion

Main Character Counterpoint

Main Character Thematic Conflict
Evidence vs.Suspicion

Aware

Main Character Problem

Nora is aware of her husband and children’s needs, without paying attention to her own.

Self-Aware

Main Character Solution

Once Nora chooses to be self-aware, she will be a better person for herself and others:

“I believe that before all else I am a reasonable human being just as you are-or, at all events, that I must try and become one…I can no longer content myself with what most people say or with what is found in books. I must think things over for myself and get to understand them.” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 197)

Desire

Main Character Symptom

Nora focuses on the motivation to change her situation.

Ability

Main Character Response

Nora is able to improve her situation by work:

“Well, then, I have found other ways of earning money. Last winter I was lucky enough to get a lot of copying to do, so I locked myself up and sat writing every evening until quite late at night. Many a time I was desperately tired, but all the same it was a tremendous pleasure to sit there working and earning money. It was like being a man.” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 130)

Falsehood

Main Character Unique Ability

If Nora can maintain the fabrication she has created-her happy marriage will be maintained as well.

Fate

Main Character Critical Flaw

Try as she might to prevent Torvald from discovering the truth, it is inevitable he find out about her past indiscretion, which will have a tremendous impact on their future (or lack thereof) together.

Preconscious

Main Character Benchmark

Nora judges Torvald’s true feelings for her by his immediate response to her confession.

Additional Main Character Information →

Main Character Description

“Warm, vibrant, childish…a devoted wife and mother who romps with her children…” (Flaxman, 1959, p.9)

Universe

Influence Character Throughline

Torvald is concerned with his and his family’s status in the home and community.

Past

Influence Character Concern

Krogstad’s past misconduct assures him of losing his position at the bank, and his past relationship with Torvald determines there is no chance of Torvald trying to understand he is a changed man; Torvald alludes to Nora’s father’s past transgressions, and how they may have influenced his wife’s nature; Torvald has no desire to share his wife with anyone from her past; and so forth.

Prediction

Influence Character Issue

Torvald is deciding upon the future state of affairs at the bank, and fending off his wife’s efforts to change the course he has pre-determined; when Torvald learns of Nora’s forgery and the impending ruination of the Helmers’ reputation, he determines how they will act in the future to minimize any damage done to their image-his plans are halted by Krogstad’s returning Nora’s bond.

Interdiction

Influence Character Counterpoint

Influence Character Thematic Conflict
Prediction vs.Interdiction

Inertia

Influence Character Problem

Torvald has established what he thinks is the perfect marriage, based on his ideals and what he believes to be the right way of doing things, and he wants to keep it that way:

Helmer: Nora-can I never be anything more than a stranger to you?

Nora: Ah, Torvald, the most wonderful thing of all would have to happen.

Helmer: Tell me what that would be!

Nora: Both you and I would have to be so changed-Oh, Torvald, I don’t believe any longer in wonderful things happening. (Ibsen, 1879, p. 202)

Change

Influence Character Solution

If Torvald could change his possessive and unbending nature, he would have a chance at a happy marriage.

Perception

Influence Character Symptom

Torvald’s perception of Nora as a doll, (not a real woman) and their life in the doll’s house (not a real marriage), causes problems for Nora, and ultimately, for himself.

Actuality

Influence Character Response

Torvald’s actual nature turns Nora away from him.

Destiny

Influence Character Unique Ability

Torvald’s destiny as bank manager is what forces Krogstad to put pressure on Nora.

Truth

Influence Character Critical Flaw

Torvald values the truth more than Nora.

Progress

Influence Character Benchmark

Torvald measures the progress he is making in his career by how it affects his status in the community.

More Influence Character Information →

Influence Character Description

Self-righteous, concerned with his status in the home and in the community.

Influence Character Throughline Synopsis

Torvald Helmer, a pompous and self-satisfied man, is preparing to take on an important position of bank manager. He does not understand why his wife, a woman he considers no more than a decorative doll, pleads with him to retain Krogstad, a shady lawyer and friend of his past. Once he finds out Nora had borrowed money (and forged her father’s signature) from Krogstad, he turns on his wife, despite the fact she did it to save his life. He is willing to forgive and forget after Krogstad returns the bond, but it is too late-Nora leaves him.

Psychology

Relationship Story Throughline

Nora and Torvald come into conflict because their ways of thinking differ; Torvald’s basis of evaluation is honor, Nora’s is love.

Conceptualizing

Relationship Story Concern

What Nora visualizes as to what makes a happy marriage is at odds with what Torvald values and sees as important.

Situation

Relationship Story Issue

Nora and Torvald’s status as a respectable married couple must be maintained, regardless of circumstances that may cause difficulties, as explained by Torvald:

“‘The matter must be hushed up at any cost. And as for you and me, it must appear as if everything between us were just as before-but naturally only in the eyes of the world’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 191).

Circumstances

Relationship Story Counterpoint

Relationship Story Thematic Conflict
Situation vs.Circumstances

Aware

Relationship Story Problem

Nora submits to Torvald’s awareness of what he thinks is the right way to run a marriage, keeping the two from ever addressing their personal issues.

Self-Aware

Relationship Story Solution

If each becomes aware of their own concerns they stand a chance of a happy marriage, but as Nora becomes self-aware, and Torvald does not, their marital problems are not solved.

Inequity

Relationship Story Symptom

Nora is subjected to Torvald having the upper hand in their marriage, emotionally and economically.

Equity

Relationship Story Response

Nora thinks once Torvald’s salary increases, and once she has paid off her loan to Krogstad, her marriage will be stable; Torvald has no intention of their marriage ever achieving emotional or financial parity.

Sense of Self

Relationship Story Catalyst

Torvald’s concern for his self and family’s image, and lack of concern for Nora’s feelings, hastens the breakup of their marriage.

Instinct

Relationship Story Inhibitor

Nora’s instinct to keep her doings away from Torvald impedes understanding between them.

Being

Relationship Story Benchmark

The lack of growth in the Helmers’ marriage is based upon how well Nora fulfills the role of a little doll to Torvald’s role of the benevolent master.

Additional Relationship Story Information →

Relationship Story Throughline Synopsis

Nora and Torvald operate within their marriage according to the rules Torvald has set forth. Because each has a different way of thinking, conflict occurs when Nora steps outside these boundaries, even though it is to save Torvald’s life.

Understanding

Overall Story Goal

The goal of common concern is Torvald and Nora maintaining a happy marriage, with a complete and honest understanding between them.

Conceptualizing

Overall Story Consequence

As Torvald fails to understand Nora, he must visualize a life without her; Nora must visualize a life without her husband and children.

Past

Overall Story Cost

In order to achieve the goal of understanding between Nora and Torvald, the past must be exposed, which effectively destroys the marriage.

Memory

Overall Story Dividend

Mrs. Linde and Nora reminisce about their days as schoolgirls; Nora has fond memories of her Nurse raising her; Dr. Rank has happy memories of his time spent in the Helmer household; Mrs. Linde’s memory of the love she and Krogstad shared brings her to town; and so forth.

Doing

Overall Story Requirements

Krogstad must write a letter to Torvald exposing Nora’s actions; Mrs. Linde must stop Krogstad from retrieving his letter before Torvald reads it; Nora must let go of her fear of Torvald discovering her dealings with Krogstad; Torvald, upon discovering the truth, must stand up for his wife.

Being

Overall Story Prerequisites

Torvald has to fulfill the role of bank manager; Mrs. Linde must be a good friend to Nora; Nora plays the role of a doll to Torvald’s role of benevolent master; and so forth.

Progress

Overall Story Preconditions

The way things are going, Krogstad’s position at the bank is in jeopardy with Torvald assuming the job as bank manager; for Krogstad, Nora repaying the loan is no longer sufficient-she must help him save his position at the bank.

Preconscious

Overall Story Forewarnings

Torvald’s immediate response to Nora’s entreaties on Krogstad’s behalf is negative; Nora instinctively hides the forbidden macaroons from Torvald; when Dr. Rank confesses his love to Nora, she instinctively moves away, and so forth.

Overall Story

Doing

Overall Story Signpost 1

The Helmers’ household prepares for Christmas; Mrs. Linde arrives in town to renew her friendship with her childhood school-mate, Nora, and to look for work; Krogstad meets with Torvald in regard to his position at the bank; and so forth.

Learning

Overall Story Signpost 2

Krogstad asks Nora if the woman he saw Torvald with was Mrs. Linde, and if so, is she to have an appointment (his) at the bank; Nora learns that Krogstad has determined she had forged her father’s signature; Nora learns that the law cares nothing for motives; and so forth.

Obtaining

Overall Story Signpost 3

Nora wants to get her bond back; Dr. Rank lets Nora know he would give his life for her sake; Krogstad wants to obtain Torvald’s help in rehabilitating his reputation; and so forth.

Understanding

Overall Story Signpost 4

Mrs. Linde tries to make Krogstad understand why she had to break with him in the past; Mrs. Linde makes clear to Krogstad she understands why he has acted as he has in the past; Mrs. Linde and Krogstad reach an understanding about their future together; Mrs. Linde explains to Krogstad why he must not retrieve his damning letter:

“‘Helmer must know all about it. This unhappy secret must be disclosed; they must have a complete understanding between them, which is impossible with all this concealment and falsehood going on’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 180).

Once Torvald has read the letter, he demands of Nora her understanding of her actions. He condemns her without forgiveness until he receives Nora’s bond back from Krogstad. His harsh words and actions lead Nora to understand he has never loved her and she has been served a great injustice.

Main Character

Memory

Main Character Signpost 1

Nora shares with Mrs. Linde her recollections of how she borrowed money years before to save Torvald’s life.

Preconscious

Main Character Signpost 2

Nora’s unthinking responses to Krogstad’s prodding creates more animosity between the two, undermining Nora’s bid for understanding from the loan shark.

Subconscious

Main Character Signpost 3

Nora is driven by the fear of discovery.

Conscious

Main Character Signpost 4

Once the truth is out, Nora considers all of Torvald’s words and reactions, and decides she can no longer live with him.

Influence Character

Past

Influence Character Signpost 1

Torvald is in the dark about what really happened in the past, how Nora was able to raise the money to make their trip to the south to save his life, and how it has impacted their home life. For example, he recalls how dull the three weeks before last year’s Christmas were when Nora had shut herself away from the family every night, ostensibly to make ornaments, when in reality she was doing copy work to pay off her debt.

Progress

Influence Character Signpost 2

Torvald is concerned with moving forward on his new authority at the bank by making use of the Christmas week to implement staff changes.

Future

Influence Character Signpost 3

Because of Torvald and Krogstad’s past association as youths, Torvald is concerned that if he does not dismiss Krogstad, it will make his future position in the bank intolerable.

Present

Influence Character Signpost 4

Torvald is concerned with what he feels is his wife’s betrayal, and the fact that he is now to live without her.

Relationship Story

Conceptualizing

Relationship Story Signpost 1

Nora and Torvald come into conflict over how Nora plans to spend the money they anticipate from his new position.

Being

Relationship Story Signpost 2

Torvald unwittingly airs his views to Nora about how those who do not openly admit their guilt and take their punishment are hypocrites, and “‘such an atmosphere of lies infects and poisons the whole life of a home’” (Ibsen, 1879, p. 147), silencing Nora, who does not think in the same black and white terms.

Becoming

Relationship Story Signpost 3

Representative of her daily subjugation, Torvald wants Nora to transform herself into a Neapolitan fishergirl and dance the tarantella for the Stenborg’s fancy-dress ball; Nora wants Torvald to overcome his narrow-mindedness in regard to Krogstad keeping his post at the bank.

Conceiving

Relationship Story Signpost 4

Torvald cannot conceive of Nora’s “betrayal”; Nora initially cannot conceive that her husband does not understand the lengths she was forced to take to save him, and how he now refuses to stand by her side.

OS: MC: IC: RS: