The conversation between Torvald and Nora shows how there relationship is built on lust and physical attraction rather than love. Furthermore, the formality in which he speaks and his use of language all contributes to his character. His formality of speech when talking to Nora helps to show his feelings of a higher status than Nora. He shows his higher status above Nora on other occasions, for example, when Nora asks him, “What are all those papers”? He merely answers, “Bank business”. By not explaining he is showing that her status is not high enough to need to know. Furthermore, when Nora asks Torvald a question such as, “Do you think it would”, he interrupts her and does not answer her, thereby showing his status, additionally he also asks her rhetorical questions and changes subject constantly showing that he is always in control or he likes to think that he is.
Torvald is not only physically demanding, “I’m your husband, aren’t I?” but he is also mentally demanding. “What is that? Tell me”. Furthermore, he is also financially demanding as he does not trust Nora with money. It is through his language that the audience discovers that he feels she is incapable and too immature to handle a matter of such importance. This is shown in his language by the use of metaphors and patronizing language, For example, when Torvald says, “Does my little Nora acknowledge that at last?” when she says, “Everything I think of seems so silly and insignificant”.
Torvald’s language helps the audience to understand that he is dominating and sees himself as a hero and is immoral towards Nora. However, this is not the case as he misunderstands Doctor Ranks’ use of euphemisms, “Have you ever heard of hats that make you invisible. If you put one on, no one can see you”, and because Torvald does not understand he simply answers, “Yes, you are quite right”. As Torvald’s status is very important to him he tries to reclaim it by explaining to Nora that, “Doctor Rank has drunk more than enough”.
Torvald often belittles Nora, but none more so than towards the end of the play when he says. “You have ruined all my happiness…..To go down so miserably, to be destroyed, all because of an irresponsible”. This use of language shows just how little he thinks of Nora.
Although Torvald’s language is unusual, it helps to depict what a strong, opinionated and chauvinistic character he is. His language is unusual for a number of reasons. The main reason being that it is a Norwegian play, translated with a colloquial language; therefore the meanings of certain words and sentences may not be the same in English as they would be in Norwegian. Furthermore because the play was written sometime ago the language has a different meaning then it would to day. This play broke theatre rules both with the acting and language; it is hard to understand Torvald’s language because it is not used today. However it is the strongest part of his character as it creates his identity.
