FREE ESSAY ON MONEY, MONEY

MONEY, MONEY

Farnaz Falsafi
English 210
12/7/1999
Money, Money, Money, Money
Some people say that money is the root of all evil, but even so, it is realized that one
cannot survive with out it. Money is a necessity, and most everyone can agree to the fact
that financial security can make one's life easier. The underlying theme of money plays a
central role in Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll House. The economic theme shapes the plot of
the play, affects each character's behavior, and decides the characters' situations. 
First, in the plot, reader can quickly see that it is built on economics. One gets this
right away when it is revealed that Helmer, Nora's husband, has just become the new
manager of a bank. Not only does his new position bring in financial security, but also
the bank itself is a symbol of money or economy. As the story progresses, the reader
slowly discovers the financial insecurity that the family had suffered in the past.
Because of the hard times, Helmer was forced to find extra work and his many jobs caused
him to become sick. It is based on this previous economic insecurity that Ibsen develops
the plot. To save Helmer's life, Nora is forced to borrow money for a trip that he must
take from an old acquaintance, Krogstad. The story revolves around the fact that Nora has
kept her borrowing money from Krogstad and slowly paying off her debt monthly an
incredible secret from Helmer. Nora's secrecy creates an air of tension in the play. "But
that's the point: he mustn't know! My Lord, can't you understand? He mustn't ever
know..." (Meyer, 1572). In the end, economic matters also add to the plot. Driven for the
need for financial stability, Nora decides to leave her husband and her family so that
she may make a living on her own. She realizes that she has been dependent on Helmer for
everything that she has needed and wishes once and for all to be free of the burden of
economic insecurity. "I have to try to educate myself. You can't help me with that. I've
got to do it alone. And that's why I'm leaving you now" (1609). Another point in the play
where money plays a key role in the plot is when Nora's friend Kristine shows up at her
house with not a penny to her name. Kristine asks Helmer for a position at the bank,
which he gladly gives her. But, Helmer does so by firing Krogstad. "I'm also aware now
whom I can thank for being turned out" Krogstad says angrily (1578). Money obviously
plays an important function in the plot of the play. 
Aside from the plot, the characters' behaviors and ways of thinking are strongly
influenced by economic situations. First, Nora's behavior can be compared to that of a
stereotypical housewife. Because Nora lacks money, she is completely dependent upon her
husband for support. Anything she wishes to buy she must first get money from Helmer, and
in a way, also get permission. "You could give me money, Torvald. No more than you think
you can spare; then one of these days I'll buy something with it" (1566). Nora also
equates personal freedom with how wealthy she is. Since she does not work and does not
make any money, she does not believe that she is "free" and allows Helmer to control her.
Nora's psychological attitude is also affected by money. The reader can note how Nora's
mood changes in relation to how much money she has. When Nora has money, it is evident
that she is ecstatic and thinking of how to spend it. When she is lacking money, her
character becomes depressed and upset. "Oh, Kristine, I feel so light and happy! Won't it
be lovely to have stacks of money and not a care in the world?" (1569). In Helmer's case,
he too is easily manipulated with money. The reader can see that Helmer acts more
powerfully when he has more money. Helmer believes he is more powerful and is more
important than others because he possesses more wealth. In this way, the fact that Helmer
has money affects his relationship with his wife. Helmer treats Nora as if she were a
child, someone without knowledge or capability to do anything for herself. "Whatever
comes, you'll see; when it really counts I have strength and courage enough as a man o
take on the whole weight myself... There, there, there - not these frightened dove's
eyes" (1588). Another economic aspect that forms Helmer's character is that he also does
not believe in borrowing money. He thinks borrowing puts a person in a disadvantageous
position and he refuses to ever go into debt. His feelings are evident when he tells
Nora, "No debts! Never borrow! Something of freedom's lost - and something of beauty too
- from a home that's founded on borrowing and debt" (1565). Clearly, wealth and riches
influence people's behavior and ways of thinking. 
Finally, throughout the play, the acquisition of wealth plays a function in the
character's situations. In Nora's case, the fact that she had borrowed money, and done so
illegally with a forged signature, puts her in the grave situation where she can be
blackmailed by Krogstad. "Do what you want now. But I'm telling you this: if I get shoved
down a second time, you're going to keep me company" (1580). Because Nora had to borrow
funds, she is now under the control of an unrespectable man and lives in fear that he
will reveal her secret. Krogstad and Anne-Marie's situations are also similarly shaped by
monetary needs. In Krogstad's circumstances, his lack of money forced him to look toward
dishonest means of becoming financially secure. As a result, he has created for himself a
terribly poor reputation. Krogstad's lack of money also meant that he could not support
his children as he would like to. Krogstad desperately needed to keep his position at the
bank so that he could improve his status and earn money at the same time. "I'll have to
win back as much respect as possible here in town. That job in the bank was like the
first rung in my ladder" (1578). Quite similarly, Anna-Marie had also had financial
problems. So much that she could not take care of her children either. This caused her to
give up her children in order to make money by becoming the family's nurse. When Nora
asked how she could give up her children, Anne-Marie replies, "When I could get such a
good place? A girl who's poor and who's gotten in trouble is glad enough for that"
(1584). Another character's situation shaped by lack of riches was Kristine's. Kristine
had been poor and married for money, not for love. Needless to say, her marriage fell
apart and she was left with nothing. Her situation led her to come to Nora for help. "If
only I could get a steady job, some office work - " (1570). All of these characters'
situations were based on financial insecurity and need. 
In conclusion, the characters of A Doll House, and the play itself, are greatly affected
by money. Monetary conditions influence the plot of the play, the characters' manners and
conduct, as well as shape the situations that the characters are in. Economic conditions
is the central theme of the play and most aspects of the play revolve around it. Ibsen's
play reflects the importance of money in people's everyday lives, and demonstrates what
can happen if one's focus relies completely on wealth.