While the tarantella is taking place, Mrs. Linde sends a note requesting Krogstad to come and see her. Readers learn of their past relationship and also of Krogstad's respective nature towards women. Mrs. Linde says, "I need to have someone to care for; and your children need a mother. We both need each other. Nils, I have faith that your good at heart- I'll risk everything together with you" (1749). In response, Krogstad says, "Kristine, thank you, thank you- Now I know I can win back a place in their eyes" (1749). By acknowledging and appreciating what Kristine is offering, Krogstad shows how he is uncommonly respectful towards women.
Provide a quote of Torvald's interactions with Nora that foils Krogstad's mentality towards women.
This blog is managed by Abby Maurno and Ashley Lauder
14 comments:
This blog is for the week of October 26th - October 30th and should not be confused with the blog post due on Friday the 23rd!
"Good - because you give in to your husband's judgment? All right, you little goose, I know you didn't mean it like that."
This quote demonstrates Torvald's utter lack of respect for his wife. He suggests that yielding to his will is not an act as should be commended, but one that should be expected of his wife. He calls her a "little goose" in keeping with his incessant deprecation and teasing. His tone is always patronizing or authoritative, and quite often disapproving. He has no respect for Nora as an individual, he just expects her to fulfill her role as a wife and mother, and to do it with a smile.
"Can't I look at my richest treasure? At all that beauty that's mine, mine alone - completely and utterly."
This clearly shows that Torvald views Nora as an object rather than as an individual. He also expects Nora to be completely subordinate to him, and to stay in her own domestic sphere of influence. Nora to him is merely a prize to be guarded rather than a person capable of having her own opinions and thoughts. Unlike Krogstad, who has an uncommon respect for women, Torvald embodies the typical opinion in the Victorian Era- that women were simply meant to look pretty, but did not possess any worthwhile intelligence.
"Ah, you don't know a man's heart, Nora. For a man there's something indescribably sweet and satisfying in knowing he's forgiven his wife- and forgiven her out of a full and open heart. It's as if she belongs to him in two ways now: in a sense he's given her fresh into the world again, and she's become his wife and his child as well," (1757).
Torvald characterizes his relationship with Nora perfectly here. He views her more as his child or his ward rather than an equal partner in a marriage. In other parts of the play he is condescending toward Nora and treats her as a child. However, here he openly comments that he regards her as he does one of his children. In contrast, Krogstad hopes for a healthy, equal relationship with Mrs. Linde. To him, a relationship with her would result in another parent for his children, not another child for himself. He and Mrs. Linde would both work to support the family and each other.
"You talk like a child. You don't know anything of the world you live in."
This reinforces Helmer's sentiment that Nora is immature and ignorant. Throughout the play he compares Nora to a child, talks down to her, and demeans her. Helmer views his role as husband as not only provider for the family, but as the supreme authority of the household. As such, he feels the need to reprimand, discipline, and educate Nora at every given opportunity. Instead of taking the time to discover who his wife really is, Helmer merely assumes her ignorance and teases his
"featherbrain."
“Didn’t you just say that no one had been here? (Wagging his finger.) My little songbird must never do that again. A songbird needs a clean beak to warble with. No false notes” (1731).
When Nora lies about Krogstad’s visit, Torvald reprimands her almost like a child by wagging his finger at her. He acts like her parent most of the time. This is an example of a typical relationship between husband and wife during this era. Males had to show dominance over their wives. He even gives her a demeaning title, “songbird” to note her lack of intelligence and strength. This is just one of his many condescending remarks in the play.
It is unusual how Krogstad views Nora as an equal because he allows her to borrow money from him. Financial agreements were strictly made between males at this time. It was unorthodox for a man to confide in a woman when dealing with finances.
"Just listen!--little Nora talking about scientific investigations!"
In this quote, it is obvious that Torvald doubts Nora's intelligence and her ability to think for herself. He doesn't believe that his little "featherbrain" who he has coddled for years would be capable of understanding anything scientific, and he prefers that she remain beautiful, empty-headed, and easily controlled. This is a direct contrast to Krogstad's treatment of Mrs. Linde. Krogstad loves Mrs. Linde for herself and is grateful that she chooses to be with him. He doesn't treat her as a child or try to control or manipulate her, something Torvald constantly does to Nora.
Since there has been a lot of good quotes for the foil between Krogstad and Torvald, now we're going to move on into finding quotes to help explain the foil between Nora and Mrs. Linde. Yay! :)
"Yes some day, perhaps, after many years, when I am no longer as pretty as I am now. Don't laugh at me! I mean, of course, when Torvald is no longer as devoted to me as he is now; when my dancing and dressing-up and reciting have palled on him then it may be a good thing to have something in reserve."
This scene reveals Nora and Mrs. Linde beginning to connect. They tell each other secrets about their personal lives allowing their trust for each other to build. Nora responds to Mrs Linde's question as to whether she will ever tell Torvald of the loan that she took out in order to save his life. Nora's words reveal that she is aware that Torvald's feelings for her are superficial and based on her beauty and ability to perform for him and amuse him. For these reasons, she believes that one day he will tire of her.
Torvald embraces his masculinity as a tool for which he can manipulate Nora into believing that he is the superior being in their relationship.
"Don't deny it my dear little Nora. Spendthrifts are sweet, but they use up a frightful amount of money. It's incredible what it costs a man to feed such birds."
Its hard not to hear the word "bird", and not associate with stupidity. Birds do repetiive actions and cause a nuisance to humanity. Its almost as if their brains are on repeat. Thus, they need someone to direct them always in their course of action. This is how Torvald sees not only Nora, but all women. He treats Mrs. Linde like she is incapable of having a high level of intellect based on her sex as well.
When Krogstad reacts to Kristine's offer, he takes into consideration the sacrifice that she is making by thanking her. He accepts her as an equal in acknolwedging that he too would like to create a happier life for himself- and recognizes that a strong woman is a component of this happier life. Where Torvald see inequality as a positive, Krogstad sees it as a detriment to the building of a healthy relationship.
"Look, Nora, in lots of things, you're still a child. I'm older than you in many ways and I've had a little more experience."
This quote by Torvald in the second act demonstrates his attitude towards not only Nora but to women in general from that time period. As he refers to her as a child, it shows the reader that he thinks of her as not worthy enough to have her own influence, opinions, or thoughts in their marriage. He sees her as more of a plaything and prize than an actual wife and mother. It is evident that Torvald stands by the traditional view that women are inferior to all men and the husband should domineer every part of their lives. His nonchalant and matter-of-fact tone as he tells Nora this shows his arrogance and ease in reminding her of her lack of intelligence and inferiority.
In contrast to Torvald, Krogstad believes that the relationship between a man and woman should be equal and healthy. A couple should love each other and treat each other with equal amounts of respect as Krogstad and Mrs. Linde do in their relationship.
"From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance."
After Nora reveals that she borrowed money from Krogstad in order to pay for Torvold's trip to Italy, Torvold instantly worries about his image. He doesn't consider the fact that Nora sacrificed herself and her money to save his life, and only focuses on how this scandal will affect their social standing. Torvold is a very materialistic and puts outward appearance ahead of inner integrity. Contrarily, Krogstad is very respectful of women and doesn't take them for granted. Although Nora owes him a lot of money and he is blackmailing her, Krogstad never wavers in his kindness to her and even decides to forget about the loan at the end of the play. Torvold accuses Nora of putting their family in jeopardy by committing a crime and places all the blame on her. Krogstad takes responsibilities for his actions and past mistakes and does not focus heavily on his damaged social image.
Ashley and Abby - great idea to find quotes to prove the foiling of characters.
John - terrific opening example! Animal references are always present.
Yes, Meera, Trovald does see her as an object to be owned.
John, Trovald definitely sees Nora as an immature child.
Anne Stuart - great job of delineating the parent child relationship viewpoint for each respective set of character foils.
Deidre, nice job showing how this is typical of a male/female relationship during the time period.
Andrea - yes, Trovald definitely doesn't want someone with any type of intelligence.
Abby - nice move to bring in Nora and Mrs. Linde.
Alyssa - yes, Nora does seem aware of Trovald's superficial, societally-dictated feelings.
Coleen - excellent job foiling the relationships!
Channing and Kristen - nice job of showing how Krogstad and Trovald foil each other in every sense of the word.
Post a Comment