To meet the needs of others, characters are often faced with making important decisions. In A Doll’s House, Nora, Mrs. Linden, and the nurse must all make decisions crucial to the importance of their lives. It is very evident throughout the story that these women must give up important aspects of their lives not only for themselves, but also for others. The nurse is a key importance in Nora’s life. She has been the only mother Nora has known. In order to be Nora’s mother, however, the nurse ultimately had to give up her own child.
When Nora is speaking with the nurse at one point, she asks, ” How could you have the heart to put your own child out among strangers? ” The nurse tells her that she had to do it in order to take care of “little Nora. ” The nurse plays a major role in the lives of Nora’s children also. She is responsible for being their mother when Nora is too busy to deal with them. Now that Nora is leaving, the nurse has no other choice but to be a mother to these children. Nora is certain that her children are in good hands and will be raised well by the nurse.
By raising Nora, and now Nora’s children, the nurse seems to accept the fact that she gave up her own life to benefit others. Mrs. Linden is one of the strongest female characters in the story. She knows that work is hard, but it is something she needs in her life in order for happiness. In the final scenes, the reader discovers that Krogstad and Mrs. Linden were once in love. The only downfall to this is Mrs. Linden was forced to give up her love to Krogstad for a wealthy man. Mrs.
Linden tries to make Krogstad understand why she had to leave him when she ells him, “You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We couldn’t wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then. ” Mrs. Linden has spent her entire life working to support her mother and brothers. She now realizes that work has been her only real pleasure in life, and now that her mother has passed away and her brothers are grown, she needs someone to work for and be appreciated by. This is shown when she tells Krogstad that she would love to be with him again and have someone to work for.
Nils, give me someone and something to work for. ” After Krogstad agrees to continue seeing Mrs. Linden, she is overwhelmed with joy. In the end, Nora is faced with leaving behind her children and husband. She does this because she finally sees that something must be done for herself. She tells Torvald, ” I believe that before all else, I am a reasonable human being, or that I must try to become one. ” Nora knows that the nurse, rather than herself, will raise her children well. She understands that the nurse can be a better mother to the children at this point in her life.
When Torvald asks if she is taking the children with her, she responds by, “I won’t see the little ones. I know they are in better hands than mine. As I am now, I can be of no use to them. ” Nora feels it is very necessary to leave her husband. Throughout the story, Nora felt as though Torvald would rescue and comfort her when she exposes her secret. When he reacts the opposite way, Nora realizes she can no longer live with him. Torvald tells her he would do anything for her, but, “No man would sacrifice his honor for the one he loves.
This statement is evidence to Nora that she was not first priority in his life. The only thing he was worried about was how he looked to society. When she decides to leave, she sees what she was to Torvald. ” I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. It’s your fault that I have made nothing of my life. ” This play expresses many themes, one of them being sacrifice. The nurse, Nora, and Mrs. Linden each possess a strong character, illustrating the hardship they each face in giving things up to meet the needs of themselves and others.