A Dolls House Christine Linde as Dramatic Foil Essay

In Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House, Christine Linde surprises Nora Helmer with a visit to her house. The two women were childhood friends and have not seen each other in many years. As both characters qualities unfold during the play, it is easy to see how Mrs. Lindes character traits underscore those of Noras. Mrs. Lindes serious, responsible nature amplifies Noras playful, childlike personality; Mrs. Lindes taking care of her sick mother and two young brothers emphasizes Noras abandonment of her dying father; and finally Mrs. Linde deciding to marry Krogstad heightens the ending of Noras marriage. When the audience first meets Mrs. Linde, she seems to be quite a contrast to the childish Nora. Nora is immature and†¦show more content†¦Mrs. Linde was not as privileged as Nora was--she had to accept responsibility and work hard for her money. Mrs. Lindes acceptance of responsibility draws attention to Noras abandonment of her father. When her father was sick, she chose to spend all of her time caring for her husband and waiting for the arrival of her child, then to find any time to go and visit him. Nora did whatever she could to raise money to go on a trip to save Torvalds life and did not think once about visiting her dying father. During the friends conversation, it was actually Mrs. Linde that brought up her father. When Nora was discussing how difficult it was to get away and go to Italy, because she had just had her child, she failed to mention that her father had passed away during that time and could have contributed to the difficult timing. Mrs. Linde i s the one who had brought up the death of Noras father in the conversation, in which Nora replied yes...wasnt it dreadful, I couldnt go look after him. I was expecting little Ivar any day. And then I had my poor Torvald to care for--we really didnt think hed live. Dear, kind Papa! I never saw him again, (Ibsen, 374). Mrs. Lindes priority was taking care of her mother; Noras priority was raising money to take her husband on a trip to care for him while completely abandoning her father. Mrs. Lindes responsible actions exaggerate Noras irresponsibility and neglect. AtShow MoreRelatedA Doll House by Henrik Ibsen7379 Words   |  30 PagesMa. Jennifer S. Yap Dr. Sherwin Perlas World Literature January 14, 2012 A Doll House by Henrik Ibsen Translated by Rolf Fjelde I. Introduction During the late nineteenth century, women were enslaved in their gender roles and certain restrictions were enforced on them by a male dominant culture. Every woman was raised believing that they had neither self-control nor self-government but that they must yield to the control of a stronger gender. John Stuart Mill wrote in his essay, â€Å"The Subjection