Gregor and Nora have set roles in society; Nora a mother and loyal wife like women in the 1870s and Gregor the family’s caretaker. Nora played her role well until Helmer revealed his true side where he was faced with a challenge to protect Nora but was more worried about himself than anyone else. And Gregor fulfilled his role until he was physically incapable of doing so any longer and lost the will to live any longer. Nora was oppressed, yet cared for with affection by her family and Gregor seemed to have an important role in the family and him providing for his loved ones was a good deed while in reality they had extra money that had prevented him from starting his own life (but he still remained submissive to them, even until his death).
The characters both face problems that have led to alienation in their life. Nora was always controlled, treated like a child (Helmer constantly referring to her as his little skylark, squirrel along with other pet names) having no freedom to believe and do what she wanted due to the dominance over her by her father and later husband, while Gregor had literally no time for his own life (“[…] constantly seeing new faces, no relationships that last or get more intimate”) as he was always trying to please the family by earning money; it could be said that these two characters are victims of society. Nora realizes how fake her ‘happiness’ really is and still tries to maintain happiness by preventing Helmer from finding out about the loan. Just like Nora, Gregor was isolated throughout life and even further isolated when turned into a bug and as Nora did; he tried to reach out to his family to gain some sense of happiness and affection from his family.
The characters are brought out of their oppressive state and reveal their true feelings, resulting in the climax point of their life where it is about to greatly change. In Nora’s case she was blackmailed by Krogstad, who wanted to keep his position at the office (another victim of society and reputations). The event was unexpected for Nora but it showed how hers and Helmer’s relationship was greatly strained and based on money. Nora attempted to prevent Helmer from finding out about the loan on a daily basis knowing that it would upset him and disrupt his high position in society’s hierarchy. But after many failed attempts Helmer ends up finding out and his selfish side is revealed as he states that this “wretched woman…ruined his life” although only a few minutes ago he was thinking of how he would protect Nora no matter what danger was to face Nora. Hence, Helmer fails to prove himself as the worthy man that would sacrifice anything for his family (*insert quote*).
The turning point for Gregor is physical and much more drastic than for Nora as he undergoes a metamorphosis and turned into a bug although no reason is given as to why but although he played the role of a good son, obeying his father’s wishes in order to take care of the family. His family chooses to block him out of their lives (possibly also another effect of society and it’s oppression towards ‘misfits’) until he is treated badly and as a burden. The family’s reaction shows how Gregor was needed mainly for money. Even though Gregor is in a new state, he remains loyal to the family trying to think of ways to please them, worrying about them and finally attempting to reach out to them multiple times even when it is revealed that they had been saving money that could have been his opportunity to start his own life as the father’s debts would be repaid. Both of these characters have strained relationships with their families because of money issues.
Due to her straining relationship and her new realization of who her husband’s cowardice, Nora decides to leave and start her life over, leaving the family behind and implying that she’ll be gone for a very long time, possibly forever. At this point Torvald realizes why Nora is upset and through various attempts tries to have her stay at home but her mind is set and she sets out to discover life herself, leaving her circle of isolation.
In contrast, Gregor remains loyal to his loved ones until the very end. Multiple times he reaches out in an attempt to contact them and bring to their attention that he is still the same son that they knew, but it has to be questioned to what extent did they really know Gregor who was always away. Towards the end of the book, he no longer desires to live.
For both of these characters the ending were completely unexpected but it’s a great contrast between their lives as Nora sets out to start everything from zero and Gregor has no physical chance to attempt to live his own life. Both characters try to please and get hurt in the end due to rejection and miscommunication, which is why they leave their loved ones.
Both of these characters and stories emphasize on the theme of isolation; although it is portrayed differently in both the stories with the use of Gregor and Nora. Both stories start off with a happy tone but later it’s revealed that it was deceiving all along; even to the characters themselves. Throughout the use of visual imagery and metaphors it is displayed how the two characters act and behave in certain situations; characterization occurs through the use of many descriptions and literary features and symbolism. The writing styles in both the novella and the play are of formal context between the characters and in short but very descriptive sentences which emphasizes on the protagonists’ distant relationships between them and their families. The point of views that the stories are told is in 3d person in the play and in 3d limited person in ‘The Metamorphosis’ as it only emphasizes on how Gregor is feeling which arises feelings of empathy. The purpose of these two acts would be to show how characters such as Nora and Gregor have set roles in society, how money is such a strain between relationships and finally how one is alienated within his own family although a delusional happiness is present throughout the majority of their lives.
In conclusion, both of the characters had been isolated throughout their lives within what seemed to be their comfort zone but throughout the story they reveal a deeper side to them, an unhappier side and finally leave behind what had been preventing them from leading their own life individually.
-Diana
1489 words approx. (02.05.2012)
(I edited it so it’s within the word limit)