The Symbol of letters in "A Doll's House"

The letter is a symbol used by Ibsen in ”A Doll’s house” for irreversible truths which occur in the play; as at first Helmer sends a letter to Krogstad, revealing the harsh reality of his notice, which in turn triggers Krogstad’s own letter which depicts Nora’s crime and secret life which is hidden from HelmerThe symbol of the letter is used to emphesize the reality of these truths which ,once stated cannot be retracted or controlled, much like sending letters. Showing the effect of the information on the characters lifestyle as it is ireverable.

In the scene we see Nora’s hope that there is “still time” for Helmer to recall the letter from Krogstad, and therefore she will escape the discovery of her secret and crime by Helmer. Nora’s fate seems to be connected to her husband and families “for my sake, for your own sake, [and] for the children’s sake”, this triad emphesises the the deep anxiety has over the effect that the unveiling of her secret will cause on their family life.

This also highlights Helmers control over the communication as he has the power to  “call…back” the letter, even though he doesn’t have the full knowledge of the consequences, while Nora does, as she borrowed the money from Krogstad, which creates dramatic irony.  As even though Helmer has power, he doesn’t understand his acts. This is shown through Helmer’s diologue as he sends the letter fire Krogstad due to his “moral failings”, however the letter triggers the revealing of Nora’s own crime and the release of her true immoral self.

The letter seems to become a major issue for Nora, she becomes paranoid and anxious about Helmer’s discovery of it “Theres no hope for us now-the letter is in the box”. She becomes completely obsessed with the idea, and we see the contrast as at first her secret life gave her power and confidence, but now it gives her constant doubt and worry “He must never see it”. Nora seems to relate her life to the length of time she has before the discovery of her secret, suggesting her loss of control of it, and emphesizing how it begins to determine how she acts around characters, “The letter! No, Torvald, no!”.

We see another dramatic shift in Nora’s character at the end of Act 3 when she tells Helmer that “[he] must read [his] letters”. Nora finally understands the importance of a life of honestly, and cant continue containing her secret which may be revealed at any moment “oh if only it were all over”. She wishes Helmer to read the letter to release her from her secret and to start a new life separate from him and from his confining personality.

When Helmer discovers the second letter from Krogstad which frees them of their debt, he “[tears] the two letters in pieces”, highlighting the end of its control over Nora and their freedom from debt and deceit, as everything is finally revealed. The symbol of letters is also used in the last lines of the play, to contrast the previous function of letters as Helmer asks whether “[he can] write to [Nora]” to maintain the connection between them. This contrasts the previous letters which were feared and which were used for unveiling truths, to simple communication between the two characters as Nora leaves his household.