Time to Stop Playing with Dolls

 Doing the “right thing” is seen as an objective concept. However, I think the best way to view doing the “right thing” subjectively is to consider how people are directly affected by the actions whether positively or negatively. With this view in mind, let's look at who is directly impacted by Nora’s decision to leave her children and husband: Nora herself, the children, and Torvald

Nora’s decision to leave her family to pursue a true understanding of herself and the world affects her positively. Throughout her life, Nora has adopted the opinion of the man in her life, whether it was her father or her husband, without ever forming her own beliefs or fully developing as an individual. Throught the events of the play, Nora realizes, “ I am a human being, no less than you - or anyway, I ought to try to become one” (146). She leaves her old life behind, stating “I’ll begin to learn for myself. I’ll try to discover who’s right, the world or I” (147). In leaving all that she knows, Nora leaves behind knowing nothing and goes towards a life of knowledge and independence that will set her free.  

For the children, while the idea of losing a mother is negative, Nora’s departure is truly a positive impact. In Nora and Trovald’s conversation, Nora confessed that “ the children have been my dolls … they thought it was fun when I played with them”(145). This reveals that Nora’s time spent with her children was more like playing with dolls, something that she would leave and come back to when she felt like it, instead of mothering them. Acknowledging this, Nora states “ they're in bet­ter hands than mine. The way I am now, I'm no use to them” (148). Nora as she is, uneducated and confused, would only continue to treat them as dolls. However, the loving maid can truly nurture the children in the way they deserve.

Finally, Torvald is set free when Nora leaves. Throughout the conversion between him and Nora, Torvald acknowledges the truth about the faults in their marriage. In the moment before Nora departs, Torvald asks “can I never be more than a stranger” (148) and Nora responds “ it would take the greatest miracle” (148). However, when she finally leaves, he states “Empty. She’s gone … The greatest miracle -?” (149). This line suggests that, for Torvald, the greatest miracle is his wife leaving.