How Does Torvald React when he Finds out About Nora’s Debts?

Answer

How does Torvald react when he finds out about Nora’s debts? 

In Henrik Ibsen’s (1828-1906) play “A Doll’s House” (1879), when Torvald discovers Nora’s secret debt, his reaction is one of shock, anger, and selfishness.

Shock and Blame: Rather than recognizing the sacrifice Nora made out of love for him, Torvald is only concerned with how this revelation could damage his reputation. The first thing he says is,

Miserable creature—what have you done?

Instead of supporting Nora, he harshly blames her and calls her “a hypocrite, a liar, worse than that, a criminal!”

Selfish Concern: Torvald’s primary concern is how Krogstad might use this information to ruin him, saying,

I must sink to such miserable depths because of a thoughtless woman!

Torvald does not see the forgery as a desperate act of love but rather as an attack on his own status and honor. He worries more about his image and what society will think of him than about Nora’s well-being.

Controlling the Situation: Torvald immediately plans to protect himself and control the situation by saying they must “appear to be the same” in front of others, even though he no longer trusts her to raise their children. This shows his selfish nature and how little he values Nora’s feelings or the motivation behind her actions.

Superficial Forgiveness: When the danger passes after Krogstad returns the IOU (a written document acknowledging a debt), Torvald quickly changes his tone and forgives Nora. He claims,

I have forgiven you everything.

However, by then, it is clear to Nora that his love is superficial, based on appearances, and that she is nothing more than a doll in his life.

In short, Torvald’s reaction ultimately leads to Nora’s decision to leave him and seek her own path.