A principle of Marxist theory is that "human consciousness is a product of social conditions and that human relationships are often subverted by and through economic considerations." In essence, how do the characters in "A Doll's House,"(i.e. Nora, Ms. Linde, Krogstad, Helmer, and Dr. Rank) display that their "consciousness" is a product of their economic conditions and relationships with each other? You may focus on just one character, and please don't hesitate to use quotes freely to support your answer.
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Mrs. Linde very obviously demonstrates her "consciousness" when dealing with Krogstad. She explains that intially she never married him because she had her mother and brothers to think about. She was looking for a man with greater wealth to support her family, and Krogstad could just not provide it. Mrs. Linde's desire for security made her leave Krogstad behind and show her true motives. And Nora is driven by money as well. She wants to be independent and free from Helmer, and does not really mind the work:
"Still it was really tremendous fun sitting there working and earning money. It was almost like being a man." Nora wishes she could be her own person, and earning money is a way for her to do this.
Expanding on what Yousra said, Mrs. Linde is a perfect example of how economic conditions can shape a person's consciousness. She admits to Nora that she never really loved her first husband, but she married him because "my mother was... bedridden and helpless- and I had my two younger brothers to look after. In all my conscience, I didn't think I could turn him down" (1719). However, after her husband and her mother died, her brothers found jobs and left Mrs. Linde with seemingly endless workdays and "nothing to live for" (1719). This prompts her to attempt to find a job and enter the workplace in order to keep herself busy and earn money. As a result, she becomes very jealous of Nora who has both money and free time, which presumably causes her to want to dismantle Nora's marriage by exposing her lie. In the end, Mrs. Linde acts only for herself- she finds love with Krogstad and destroys the image of Nora's marriage, all due to her desire for fiscal stability.
Taking a deeper look at Nora, she effectively portrays how economic conditions have affected how her conscious was developed. Nora forged her father's signature in order to obtain money to help pay for Torvald's cure in Capri. As a woman in the mid-19th century, she enjoyed little to none economic freedom and constantly had to beg Torvald for money like she does in the opening scene of the play when she asks Torvald for more money as her Christmas present. At the time, they were too poor to afford a trip to Capri so Nora took drastic measures and in esscene committed a crime even though it was all in good faith. As a result, Nora had to dumb herself down even further so that Torvald would not catch on to the fact that the money did not come for her father's will but in need a debt she owed to Krogstad, a person and idea that he frowned upon. Further, this resulted in their relationship being tense at least for Nora's part.
Helmer's character is very much influenced by his economic standing. Because he is a bank clerk, his appearance and demeanor affect his clients' trust in him, and therefore his success. He needs to appear in control and secure. By pretending to be this person, he eventually became exactly that. Also, when Helmer is promoted, he instantly becomes proud, and considers himself above all the others. Just because his salary is raised, he considers himself above the old friendship with Krogstad; he considers himself worthy of a respect he has not yet earned. Helmer thinks that the economic considerations in his life entitle him to a greater social standing than that of his peers.
I agree with David. Since Helmer gained his new position at the bank, one could safely assume that his entire attitude has drastically changed. Although his dislike of Krogstad can be blamed on this, I see it in a different light. I believe Helmer simply wishes to use it as a reason to fire Krogstad. Since Krogstad had committed the crime of fraud, Helmer possibly always had a secret dislike of him in my opinion.
Nora is an excellent example of how a person's relationships can be undermined by economic considerations and their consciousness strongly effected by social conditions.
Nora lives in a well-to-do world where everyone seems to be acting a part. The men are expected to be dapper and doting while their faithful wives are to be sweet and silly. Like the dolls gracing a shop's display window, everyone is supposed to fit into their roles no matter how hard the roles chafe at their true nature.
With this cue from society, Nora learns how to play her part. When her husband says or suggest something, she readily agrees or says what she can to satisfy him using subservient phrases such as "I should not think of going
against your wishes", "As you please, Torvald", "Yes, Torvald, I can't get along a bit without your help", and "I can't get on a bit without you to help me" abound in Ibsen's play.
As Torvald's economic position rises, so does his need for a picture perfect wife. The tighter his hold on Nora grows, the more she wishes to break free.
-Diana Heriford
Examining Nora's consciousness from a Marxist perspective can help to attain some insight on her character. Nora's social and economic class is that of a woman entirely dependent on her husband. Because she does not earn money, she must rely on Torvald's income. In return, she plays the role of something of a servant to Torvald. Her socioeconomic standing forces her into financial enslavement by her husband. Consequently, Nora never achieves a sense of individuality and self-sufficiency which is reflected in her consciousness as she learns to accept her role and become a subserviant female like the many others of her era.
All of Krogstad's actions up until he retracts his blackmail are dictated by his economic considerations. In an effort to support his family by securing a position in society that gives him economic stability, he is forced into blackmailing Nora in a vain effort to keep his job.
Nora's place in society, a higher class than Krogstad because she is married to Torvald, also helps support the Marxist theory because the difference in class between Nora and Krogstad make up the subplot of the play. Their interactions and subsequent consciousness are based upon the difference in class itself. Marxist theory tends to believe that people are selfish and only look for their own means by nature, but can be righted by the realization that the community is a greater cause than the self. Krogstad's eventually takes back his blackmail, realizing that it's possible his needs are outweighed by both Nora and Ms. Linde's.
Although it is more obvious in the movie than while being read, Nora's consciousness governs her character completely. In the movie, Nora is constantly speaking to herself and racking her brain for a solution to her predicament of fraud and debt. As the play is read, Nora transforms from one extreme to another as she gradually begins to realize she does not know her husband at all. Her beginning state consists of the worry and fear of her husband finding out she has taken a loan out but as the play moves forward, this guilt that drives her character becomes conviction to leave what has become so familiar to her. Nora is loyal to Torvald in her consciousness even though she hides things for his own benefit. Yet as she comes blatantly face to face with the fact that her hard work and worry was for a man that is a stranger to her, her consciousness becomes driven by her individual character instead of her guilt and obligation to her husband.
Yousra, great quote to show how Nora uses her power over money to feel like a man.
Gary, Mrs. Linde's identity is dictated by socioeconomic conditions, and I do believe she is somewhat jealous of Nora.
Emily, I agree that the more Nora knew how to take care of things, the more she had to dumb herself down so she wouldn't be under suspect.
David, Trovald is definitely all about appearances in every sense of the word.
Diana, great examples of Nora playing her part.
Ray, thanks for bringing in the Marxist perspective
Mary, great tracing of the progresson of Mary's consciousness and character.
It could easily be said that every relationship and character in some way falls into the Marxist theory that relationships are ruined by and in the midst of economic situations. But there are also many aspects of the relationship that directly negate it. It could be that relationships are formed, not ruined, by the economic situations. Nora thought she loved Torvald and therefore wanted to prevent his death by taking out the loan from Krogstad. Considering that this was early in their eight year marriage, seeing as she kept her secret for many years, it could be argued that Nora's marriage was defined by the economical secret she kept from her husband. Granted, when the secret came out, their relationship was demolished, subverted. But - what could their marriage have really been called in the first place: a relationship, or the idea of a relationship. When one views their marriage as more of an idea of what a marriage should be, it is easy to see that the relationship they had, while relatively long-lasting, was definitely non-existant. She did not know better than to get money for a man whose pride and social image would be so scarred by her actions, and he did not know better than to marry a woman who he intended to maintain as though she were just another painting on the wall or statue in the garden.
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