By the end of Act III, Nora has grown as a character, and this is easy to see through the language she uses in the dialogue with Helmer. Nora refuses to implement the obedient and passive nature that Helmer is accustomed to and plainly says “I don’t love you any longer” showing the extent of the change in Nora’s character. Nora is the only character in the play that is referred to buy their first name, important because it shows that Nora has the lowest social status and this is reflected in the language that other characters use when addressing her.
Helmer’s language throughout the play hardly changes. Nora is called a number of names by Helmer that are all diminutive. He uses a lot of animal imagery in the names he calls Nora and all are small and weak in nature. These include, “Little Songbird” “Squirrel” “Little Person and “Squanderbird”. Helmer consistently uses the word ‘little’ before the names he calls Nora, which are usually preceded by the word ‘my’ showing that by no means does he consider Nora as an equal, but often predictable and a captivating exotic pet or animal that he owns, and was specifically made for him. The other characters use different speech patterns.
The language that Mrs. Linde uses is brief and concise. Mrs. Linde is almost a motherly and guiding figure to Nora, however like Helmer, Mrs. Linde sees Nora as a child. However this is only because she has had little experience in life, and not because she has no respect for her.
Krogstad’s use of language mirrors his legal training and many of the statements he makes, such as “…that was difficult time for you then, wasn’t it, Mrs. Helmer?” resemble a formal cross-examination of someone in a court-room. He also conveys a sense of intimidation in his language, shown when he calls Nora buy her first name, which shows his deceitful and selfish nature.
The language of Dr. Rank is complicated showing his articulate and intelligent character. His statements are long and always avoid showing his emotions or feelings. His language is full of metaphors which achieve this “I’ve been going through the books of this poor body of mine, and I find I am bankrupt.” Even when Dr. Rank is going to inform the Helmers of when he is going to die, he doesn’t use language or dialogue. Instead, he states that he going to send them a black-marked visiting card. This is why the use of language in ‘A Doll’s house’ is integral to the plot. Little physical action at important moments takes place within the play and Ibsen uses language to progress the plot, through the dialogue between the main characters and the monologues that Nora has, in which she tells the audience what is happening around her and what she is planning to do.
