All this leads to an increase in knowledge in both the characters of Nora and Helmer. Nora becomes aware of her individuality; she realizes that she must "stand up alone, if [she's] ever going to discover [herself] and the world out there- (1098). Helmer learns that he has erred greatly in his treatment of Nora and realizes that for them to be together, as Nora puts it, "[. . .] it would take the greatest miracle of all [. . .] You and I must transform ourselves to the point that [. . .] our living together could be a true marriage,"" in other words, a marriage based on equality, mutual respect, and love for each other (1101). The stage business and dialogue of Helmer in the closing lines reveal much about his desire to achieve this transformation: .
HELMER (sinks down on a chair by the door his face buried in his hands): Nora! Nora! (Looking about and rising) Empty. She's gone. (A sudden hope leaps in him) The greatest miracle "?.
Helmer is evidently deeply affected by Nora's desertion, but that last "sudden hope- and his final, unfinished question reveal his belief that, if he changes, he may yet become the man Nora would approve of and accept. .
Finally, the characters experience a reaffirmation of the value of life. Helmer, as above indicated, now has a new goal and purpose in life "to become the man that Nora would be able to accept as her husband. Nora, too, reaffirms the value of life. She was originally on the brink of suicide, as can be seen from her frantic calculations concluding with "thirty-one hours to live- (1087) and her "short, hoarse, broken whispers- of "the freezing black water! The depths "down "- implying that she is thinking of drowning herself (1094).