In interrogating Nora in Act 1, Helmer reveals his assessment that A. Nora is a complex individual B. Nora's father was wealthy C. Nora is...

A Doll's Houseby Henrik Ibsen reveals the disparity between outward appearances in the Helmer household and the dysfunctional relationship between Torvald and Nora. "Little spendthrift" is one of the many diminutive names Torvald calls his wife, and Nora, in turn, encourages the unequal marriage, happy to give the impression that she is everything he says she is. He talks to her like a child and she acts as if she has no real grasp...

A Doll's House by Henrik Ibsen reveals the disparity between outward appearances in the Helmer household and the dysfunctional relationship between Torvald and Nora. "Little spendthrift" is one of the many diminutive names Torvald calls his wife, and Nora, in turn, encourages the unequal marriage, happy to give the impression that she is everything he says she is. He talks to her like a child and she acts as if she has no real grasp of the economic effects of spending money.

Nora is not allowed to have a permanent job or take a loan in her own name, and so she makes a decision, bravely or foolishly, to address the unfairness of the situation, and as her husband will not take a loan, she forges her own father's signature on a document without anyone's knowledge. She believes that her actions serve her husband's best interests, and it is is only when her secret is uncovered that she and Torvald experience the complete breakdown of their marriage, which was never based on anything real.

Nora knows Torvald will be upset but is shocked by his reaction. Torvald, on realizing that his wife took a bold step by herself, misinterprets her intentions, thinking she has disgraced him when all she wanted to do was to improve his quality of life. He even tells her that "The children cannot be left in your care. I dare not trust them to you." Torvald refers to her "womanly helplessness," and having regained his composure on the realization that Krogstad will not ruin him after all, he begins to think that Nora is "a hunted dove whom I have saved from the claws of the hawk." Therefore, Torvald's assessment of Nora would fit with "Option C" above, that he feels she is immature and in need of supervision.