Ibsens's Ideas About Marriage and the Wild Duck

Ibsen believed strongly in the institution of marriage, almost to the point of reverence. In Act 4 of The Wild Duck, Ibsen says, "A marriage based on full confidence, based on complete and unqualified frankness on both sides; they are not keeping anything back; there's no deception underneath it all. If I might so put it, it's an agreement for the mutual forgiveness of sin" (Ibsen). This displays what Ibsen's idea of an ideal marriage is, what Nora and Torvald did not have.

Nora lied and borrowed money after the doctor says that Torvald needs a vacation to Italy to get better. She paid the money back herself, as well, keeping this secret from her husband. This shows her love, but it also shows that their relationship was not on equal footing. Unfortunately by managing her finances so closely to pay off this loan, she also realizes that she can be an independent woman. Ibsen criticizes the whole patriarchal structure of marriage in his day. Ibsen's idea is that the ideal marriage would be founded in both truth and equality, neither of which this couple has.

They are unable to face the truth together. Even when Torvald learns of her lie, he says, "From this moment happiness is not the question; all that concerns us is to save the remains, the fragments, the appearance - "(Ibsen). She responds with ""I have existed merely to perform tricks for you, Torvald. But you wanted it like that. You and father have committed a great sin against me. It is your fault that I have made nothing of my life. Our home has been nothing but a playroom. I have been your doll-wife, just as at home I was father's doll-child; and here the children have been my dolls" (Ibsen). This is the beginning of the end. Torvald cannot forgive her, and she cannot go back to be content with the life that she has led. She has realized that her life was not a meeting of two equals but a performance all along.

It is certainly possible that the relationship between Krogstad and Mrs. Linde would have been a model for Ibsen's idea of a good marriage. That is because they came together and were able to forgive each other, keep no secrets and move forward. Years before they had a relationship, but Mrs. Linde moved on and married someone who could better support her. When they come in contact again, Krogstad is able to forgive her, and they move forward together from there. This contrasts the marriage of Nora and Torvald. Nora has lied, but Torvald is not able to forgive her, and so the marriage ends.

Works Cited

Ibsen, Henrik. A Doll's House

Ibsen, Henrik. The Wild Duck.