To meet the needs of others, characters are often faced with making important
decisions. In A Doll's House, Nora, Mrs. Linden, and the nurse must all make decisions
crucial to the importance of their lives. It is very evident throughout the story that these
women must give up important aspects of their lives not only for themselves, but also for
The nurse is a key importance in Nora's life. She has been the only mother Nora
has known. In order to be Nora's mother, however, the nurse ultimately had to give up
her own child. When Nora is speaking with the nurse at one point, she asks, " How could
you have the heart to put your own child out among strangers?" The nurse tells her that
she had to do it in order to take care of "little Nora." The nurse plays a major role in the
lives of Nora's children also. She is responsible for being their mother when Nora is too
busy to deal with them. Now that Nora is leaving, the nurse has no other choice but to be
a mother to these children. Nora is certain that her children are in good hands and will be
raised well by the nurse. By raising Nora, and now Nora's children, the nurse seems to
accept the fact that she gave up her own life to benefit others.
Mrs. Linden is one of the strongest female characters in the story. She knows that
work is hard, but it is something she needs in her life in order for happiness. In the final
scenes, the reader discovers that Krogstad and Mrs. Linden were once in love. The only
downfall to this is Mrs. Linden was forced to give up her love to Krogstad for a wealthy
man. Mrs. Linden tries to make Krogstad understand why she had to leave him when she
tells him, "You must not forget that I had a helpless mother and two little brothers. We
couldn't wait for you, Nils; your prospects seemed hopeless then." Mrs. Linden has spent
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