How A Guilty Man Like That She Has To Lie By Henrik Ibsen

Henrik Ibsen foreshadows potential trouble in the marriage between the self-centered Torvald and the immature Nora, as the reader learns that a big secret is creating tension in their relationship. We discover that Nora has mistakenly forged a signature, committing a crime which Krogstad is now using to blackmail her. Weary of what her husband’s reaction might be if she were to tell him the truth, Nora learns of Torvald’s thoughts on this subject after thinking Krogstad has forged someone’s name. “Just think how a guilty man like that has to lie and be hypocrite with everyone, how he has to put on a false mask even in front of those he loves, even in front of his own wife and children.”(p. 50) This creates dramatic irony because although Torvald does not know it, what he is saying applies to his own wife. This also shows how Torvald is obsessed with image and reputation as he argues that this sin forces one to create a false image in order to maintain their reputation. The line that appears to scare Nora the most is when he says, “ Most of the people who get into trouble early in life have had a mother who lies and cheats.”(p. 51) These lines create interest as it is almost as if Torvald knew exactly what to say to worry his wife. Nora, who has dedicated everything to her husband and children, does not believe the consequences of her mistake. “Corrupt my little children? Poison my home? It’s not
true.
It can’t possibly be true.”(p. 52) To conclude, not only do Nora’s secrets spur tension in her relationship, but Torvald stating his strong opinions on fraud only makes for a bigger fall when Nora must tell the
truth.