An Analysis of Kristine's Heroism in Ibsen's A Doll's House
“I must have work or I can’t bear to live...” (Ibsen 33)
In Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House, Mrs. Kristine Linde emerges as an empowering and self-sufficient hero by challenging societal and familial roles in 19th century Norway. Kristine did not necessarily follow societal expectations as she was looking for work and had nobody to care for. In A Doll’s House, Kristine searches for a “purpose in life” by looking for a job and somebody to live for, she decides to rekindle her earlier romantic relationship with Nils Krogstad, the antagonist, whom she left for a richer man when her family was in desperate need of money, and finally, Kristine strongly encourages Nora Helmer, the protagonist, to tell her husband, Torvald, about the money that she illegally borrowed in his sake, which ultimately helps Nora realize that she is in a toxic relationship.
In Act One, Kristine visits Nora after living away for ten years. Kristine and Nora speak of the events that had happened to them since the last time that they had seen once another. As they begin to catch up, Nora attempts to inform Kristine about how marvelous her life with Helmer and their fortunes has been. Kristine quickly moves the conversation along and ties her own problems into their exchange. Kristine informs Nora she …show more content…
Kristine challenges societal and familial roles by proposing to Krogstad, her lover. Kristine secures her future in the sense that she no longer has to worry about being alone. Finally, Kristine has made sure that her goal was reached and her determination paid off as she will begin her job and will have a family of her own. Kristine ends up having the “happy ending” and receiving everything that she wanted in the beginning because of her