The character of Mrs Linde

Mrs Linde:

The character of Mrs Linde is used by Isben as a foil character to highlight different aspects of the main protagonist, Nora. Through her discussion with Mrs Linde we understand the other side of Noras bi-polar character which cherishes the independence which she is thrust by borrowing money from the bank when Helmer fell ill, and who is kind and self-less as she tries to help an old college acquire work at the bank. This side of Nora is hidden from Torvald, as in their relationship he exercises his control over her, allowing Nora to seek to please him by doing “tricks” for him, emphasising their patriarchal relationship.Therefore Mrs Linde is used to convey the dramatic irony, as we understand the other side of Nora’s character and her deception, which Helmer appears to have knowledge of. Mrs Linde is also used to show underlying theme of women’s rights in the play, as she is a widower she follows different laws from the rest of society and is able to work and travel and support her family financially on her own, without the constraints of a marriage. This emphasises that although men were perceived as having higher status and controlling education in society, women were still able to receive important jobs. Represented through Mrs Linde acquiring the high standing job at the bank. This shows that although women’s rights were not established at this time period in Europe, women are still able to hold the same status and positions as men, highlighting Isbens personal views on women’s rights through his depiction of Mrs Linde as a strong confident individual.

The character of Mrs Linde is rather subdued and wise as she seems to 'know' and have experienced all of the hardships of life "subdued", "dear Nora, i do understand" she knows the complications and distractions of life due to her working to support her family and brothers without a husband to support her


Travels alone, is able to have the freedoms of a lifestyle unsubjected or controlled by a husband


The character of mrs linde is used by Ibsen to highlight the other personailty of Nora, of an understanding and caring individual, more sober and sensible, which is hidden from Helmer. We understand that she isnt selfish and that she wishes to hear about Mrs Linde life.


"Yes it must be pleasant to have everything you need" she doesnt know the luxary as she has been striving hard in order to support her family with no comforts for herself.


"It happens like that sometimes, Nora" she seems superior due to her experiences and treats Nora as a child, we learn that Nora has not been subjected to any of the hardships of working class, as her only experience of work has been " odds and ends of needle work" in order to repay her debt to the bank, "your a terrible spendrift", "wagging her finger at her" this condescending manner of adressing Nora is imitated in Mrs Linde as at first she percieves Nora as Helmer does, as an innocent and unknowing house wife who has no knowledge of greater troubles. "Your only a baby Nora!" She wants to prove herself and gain respect in the eyes of her college, trying to create her own individual identity. "You know your simply dying of curiosity" She cherishes this new found freedom as sje discovers a personality who isnt connected to the financial gains of her husband and she wishes to keep it hidden from Helmer, as she fears upsetting him. "Well one day, perhaps, but not for a long time"


Nora starts to realize her status of being a lower educated person, controlled as her husband through talking to Mrs Linde. "You're like all the others,- you none of you think i could do anything worth while" She is proud to announce that she has some independance from her husband and his finance as it was her decision to borrow the money to pay for the holiday, she begins to 'see clearly' and wants to become more like the character of Mrs Linde and create her own identity seperate from Helmer. She confesses to Mrs Linde how she has secretley borrowed the money from the bank and reveals a hidden aspect of her personality- of a women struggling to pay of debt but who is still proud, as it was completley her idea. She wants to be strong and independent like her friend, who comes seeking a high-rate job at the bank and who is free of all of the constraints of a marriage so that she is able to find herself and build her place in society.