Some people say that money is the root of all evil, but even so, it is realized that one cannot survive without it. Money is a necessity, and most everyone can agree to the fact that financial security can make one's life easier. The underlying theme of money plays a central role in Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll House. The economic theme shapes the plot of the play, affects each character's behavior, and decides the characters' situations.
             First, in the plot, the reader can quickly see that it is built on economics. One gets this right away when it is revealed that Helmer, Nora's husband, has just become the new manager of a bank. Not only does his new position bring in financial security, but also the bank itself is a symbol of money or economy. As the story progresses, the reader slowly discovers the financial insecurity that the family had suffered in the past. Because of the hard times, Helmer was forced to find extra work and his many jobs caused him to become sick. It is based on this previous economic insecurity that Ibsen develops the plot. To save Helmer's life, Nora is forced to borrow money for a trip that he must take from an old acquaintance, Krogstad. The story revolves around the fact that Nora has kept her borrowing money from Krogstad and slowly paying off her debt monthly an incredible secret from Helmer. Nora's secrecy creates an air of tension in the play. "But that's the point: he mustn't know! My Lord, can't you understand? He mustn't ever know..." (Meyer, 1572). In the end, economic matters also add to the plot. Driven for the need for financial stability, Nora decides to leave her husband and her family so that she may make a living on her own. She realizes that she has been dependent on Helmer for everything that she has needed and wishes once and for all to be free of the burden of economic insecurity. "I have to try to educate myself. You can't help me with that. I've got to do it alone. And that's why I'm...