Nora Helmer, a delightfully complex character in Henrik Ibsen's A Doll House, begins the play as a weak-minded fool and transforms into an independent, strong-willed woman. Often referred by her husband Helmer as his "squirrel" or "little lark", Nora is at her husbands every wish and command. Doing her little tricks for her money and being the perfect little wife, at first, Nora's character on the surface seems to possess qualities associated with weakness. As the play unfolds, Nora finally begins to emerge as a strong role model for women in her position, women who may feel trapped in a relationship with someone that they are not truly in love. Nora's character changes as she comes under great fear of being punished for her lies. With each continuing scene, Nora's character builds and molds until the final scene when her true character reveals itself. The miracle that Nora is praying for, the prayer for forgiveness of her sins by her husband, may not be the miracle that she is eventually granted, but the actual miracle that she receives is worth so much more. Throughout the play Nora transforms from the weak character of the perfect wife to the even weaker character of damsel in distress, and eventually to the brave superwoman that she is forced to become.
Nora Helmer, early in the play, demonstrates a weak minded, simple character. Apparently driven by money, Nora states to her husband "Oh but Torvald, this year we really should let ourselves go a bit. It's the first Christmas we haven't had to economize"(1,1569). When Torvald insists that they haven't the money yet, as he hasn't yet received his raise, Nora argues "Pooh, we can borrow that long"(1,1569). This is an indication of the weak character that Nora demonstrates in her willingness to live in debt. Some may argue that this demonstrates Nora's strong sense of family values, but this is undermined by her poor sense of financial responsibility.
