A Doll House is a classic 19th century Norwegian play. In Act One, the characters live in their living room and are surrounded by conflicting values. The moral dilemmas they face are often referred to as the “Dark Ages” or the “Bloodless Ages.” In Act Two, the story shifts to present day and the central conflict in the story is the sex of the children.
Nora tells Mrs. Linde the circumstances under which she might consider telling Torvald about the secret loan, and this is the first time that she recognizes the true nature of her marriage. Her affection for him is based primarily on her looks and appearance, and as she grows older, this interest will diminish. Nora must decide whether she wants to stay with Torvald for the rest of her life or move on to find a new mate.
In Act One, Nora acknowledges that she has a secret loan to repay to her father. In the same way, she recognizes that her husband’s love for her is based on her appearance, and that his affection will diminish with age. As she grows older, the relationship between the two will continue to deteriorate, and she will have to confront the truth about her true nature as a woman. She will not be able to keep up with the demands of a marriage based on looks alone.