Imagine that you are either Nora or Torvald, and a year has passed since the close of the play. Write a letter to the other, telling what you wish you had both done differently.
Post your letter in a reply to this prompt. Also reply to another student's letter.
Dearest Nora,
ReplyDeleteI hope that this letter finds you in good health and fortune. The children are well, although they miss you terribly. I struggle to find the words in expressing my heart to you. The past year has brought deep pain to my aching heart. I feel empty, and yet I have no explanation as to why everything happened so quickly. It breaks my heart to know that my words were only counted as frivolous and dehumanizing. I wish that I had treasured and respected you more as my wife rather than a scampering animal. For this, I am truly sorry. I wish you had expressed your true feelings to me that I might be able to better adapt. Although we cannot change that which is in the past, I write to you in hope that the future would hold a new beginning for our relationship.
I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me, that we might be able to restore what used to be. Please write to me soon.
Sincerely,
Torvald
This was a great letter. I think the word choice and tone you chose to write it in was exactly how Torvald would have wrote it. You summarized how the family is doing, as well as included the apology and Torvald's feelings.
DeleteI really like you letter, and that you presented Torvald in a way that says he has change:). It is well written and specifically mentions the demeaning "play-wife" things that he would do and say to her when they were together.
DeleteGood Job Lindsey, this was really good. Your letter was clear and your grammar was good. The tone seemed to fit the situation. I can say it touched my heart. :)
DeleteHello Nora,
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite a while since we have last talked. I want to let you know that it is not the same without you here in this household. It is so lonely, and the children and our friends miss you so much. I wish we could have dealt with our situation differently, for it happened so fast! I am sorry that you felt this way about me, but you kept your feelings inside for so long, that there way no way I was to know there was something wrong. With that being said, I have thought long and hard about what you said to me before you left. As much as I loved you, I realize now how I really just loved your company. I loved to have someone to love. It comforted me that I was living the so called perfect life with beautiful children, an elegant house, and a gorgeous doll of a wife. I can see your points you made and recognize why you wanted to start over and leave. I hope you are doing well and finding yourself through your journey. My biggest wish is that you are happy, because I really do care about you. Please write back or come visit soon. (everyone would be so pleased to see you face to face again)
Sincerely,
Torvald
I like how you created Torvald's realization that he did not in fact love Nora, but just her company. It is a subtle yet nice twist. I also like that you kept with the tone of the play.
DeleteMy dearest Torvald,
ReplyDeleteMuch has changed since I left you, though I cannot say my departure was for the worse. I have since been pursing things which bring me genuine joy. My lifestyle is humble and pleasant, and a stark contrast to the one I lived with you. Even with the happiness in my heart, I feel great sorrow in the fact that I could not share this life with you, and especially the children. Many have asked me why is it that I do not have a husband or children, for I have not disclosed this information to them. It pains me too much, I know I will face judgement. I will forever wish that I had been honest with you from the very beginning. Even if you had reacted no different, I would have been able to start this new life sooner. If you had reacted in a more positive manner, we could be living a much better and happier life together at this very moment. Unfortunately, I am sure that you recall your actions and why it is that I left. With that, I must say goodbye. Please wish the children and Anne-Marie hello goodnight.
Sincerely,
Nora
I think that this is a very accurate description of what Nora would write to Torvald. The mention of others asking her about her family was a good touch, as they would probably also not understand, and judge her.
DeleteElisabeth~
DeleteI too agree with the student above in saying that you wrote a very accurate description of what Nora's response to Torvald could have been. You brought in many topics that were mentioned throughout the play and incorporated them to display Nora's developing character! Good Job.
Hello Torvald,
ReplyDeleteFor the past year, I have been traveling around Europe. I got your letters, and am glad that they children are okay. I have sought to gain an education, but lack the funds to do so, but I have slowly building a small sum of money. I wish that you can understand me when I say I will probably not be coming back for some time. I plan to keep traveling until either I gain an acceptance into a university or until the children plan to marry.
Farewell,
Nora
I liked your letter a lot. It was simple and to the point. My one complaint is that based on the time in which the play is written, letter would be incredibly formal and so Nora would not have used "Hello" in the beginning. She most likely would have used "Dear" or "My Dearest"
DeleteI think your letter is very accurate. I do like how you mention the fact that she would have no money. To Bailey's comment I would have to say that perhaps she was putting herself to an equal level as Torvald by not showing signs of endearment of regret?
DeleteDear Torvald,
ReplyDeleteIt has been quite a fulfilling and lonely year since I left. While I do not wish to bring you anguish, I have indeed been bettering myself throughout this year. I am able to say now that I am happy. Unlike the years we spent together I have been wise with my money, knowing that I am my sole provider has done well for my old spend-thrift ways. While I am genuinely content with my life, I do have regrets. The biggest being was my inability to realize my feelings and misgivings before beginning a life with you. I will always wish that I was honest and that our love was genuine, even if to only save the dear little ones the shame of not having their mother. I also regret your actions. You’re reaction to the situation was the driving force to my realiziation, if you remember that night with any clarity, and I wish that it could have been different. I believe I could have loved you if both parties had reacted better and been honest, but alas they were not and I have the understanding now that I cannot love a man who still does not react in the loving way he should. Please send me notification of any major accomplishments or changes in the children’s lives and tell them that their mother will always love them.
Sincerely,
Nora
I like how you kept Nora's decision firm to not return. It was very well written.
DeleteI liked how Nora kept up in her decision to stay away. Well written and thoughtful, I liked it a lot.
DeleteThis letter really gets into the mindset of Nora, it's very somber in some ways, and seems like something Nora would write to Torvald. It has a lot of the same writing style and tone behind it that Nora's final big monologue to Torvald had.
DeleteDear Torvald,
ReplyDeleteI wish that I could say my travels have so consumed my thoughts and attentions that I never give you a passing thought, but that would be an utter lie. I am haunted by the dear faces of our children and the few truly happy memories we shared; but I believe that the greatest healing that has come from my absence from you is that I have had the freedom to properly grieve for the many wrongs done to me, the same wrongs which required me to leave you. I have learned much in this past year away, and although it has pained me beyond belief I do not regret a single moment of my absence. My eyes have been opened to so much, my heart has seen and felt the wonders of the world - yet Torvald in all of this discovery I have found there to be a deep emptiness in me. I feel that this is no more my place in the world than was nt role as your play wife. And with this discovery I am equally thwarted, for where can I find what I long for? It was not with you that I had this, and I have only heard whispers of it out here in the world, is there hope then that we could both have changed enough in this year apart to find a glimpse of what life was meant to be? Dear Torvald, the answer to that question rests in you. I am open to meet and i recognize the possibility of a better future with you, but if I find no real change I tell you now that I will be forced to move on again, my dearest. Please write me.
With my deepest regards and fondest hope,
Nora
Dearest Torvald,
ReplyDeleteI know my actions may not be forgiven, but can you see it in your heart to take me in as you loved wife once more? I never realized how hard the world is and being doted upon my whole life I am naive and brainless and I need to be cared for. Torvald, if we could somehow come to an arrangement that i may have the chance to learn at home by a private tutor, I would forever be your charming and grateful skylark. Please forgive my thoughtless actions and love me once again.
Sincerely,
You Nora
Wow, Nora really changed from the end of the play until now! I like that you take a different angle than the other students. It looks like Nora has met the face of humility. I believe that you are on the right track with humility. Both Nora and Torvald need to humble themselves in order to fix their marriage which their pride has broken.
DeleteWow. Nora sounds really desperate. What happened to all the womanly pride she had when she left? If this is what the result truly was a year later, then the entire story would be a waste of time, because, clearly, she has not learned anything out of the experience.
DeleteDearest Nora,
ReplyDeleteI hope this letter finds you in good health. I do not know if you have received my other letters because I have not gotten any sort of reply. I hope I am not pestering you with all my letters. I miss you immensely Nora and so do the children. Over the past year I have had time to think over my actions and I realize now that yes our marriage did not have a very strong foundation. I apologize for not seeing that sooner and I apologize for the way I acted it was not fair to you at all. Nora I just want to tell you I am trying to change, to become a better man, a man that is worthy to have you as a wife. Please I beg you to give me one more chance I need you in my life.
Sincerely,
Trovald
My Dearest Nora:
ReplyDeleteI remember that you told me to never write to you. But, as I recently found your address, I cannot but write to you. I have changed! Yes, I have changed! I so wish that both of us can meet, so that we can have a genuine conversation.
This letter cannot voice the emotions that I carry, but I hope that you will forgive me and continue reading. I have devoted more time to the children and have given Krogstad a new position at the bank. Although I once thought that he was a threat to my position, I have discovered that he just wanted to care for his family and their reputation. The children are doing well, but they would be so much happier with their mother in their lives. They are growing up quickly--and so am I. I have realized that I took you for granted and I am now willing to love you as I should. I am spending less time at the bank to spend more time with the children--and with you? Nora, Please come home. We could be so much happier, and I am ready to love you if only given the chance.
Sincerely,
Torvald
Dearest Nora,
ReplyDeleteIt seems as if I have finally come to terms with your decision to leave me to find a better life for yourself. It has undoubtedly been hard for both of us to get through this rough time, but I sincerely hope you are happy however you are living.
I have officially acknowledged that you were right in the situation that we were presented with, it was best for you to leave and find a better life rather than be forced into a relationship with a past me who took advantage of you and belittled you. I cannot express to you how sorry I am that I treated you that way. I do not wish for you to come back, as I expect you are probably happy, but perhaps a visit to the children would suit you?
Best regards,
Torvald
I really like how you got into the perspective of the author, every human deserves to basic rights and to pursue happiness. Torvald shouldn't ask Nora to come back, because she wasn't happy there, and someone who truly loved her, wouldn't ask her to be in an unhappy place like that. Nora isn't obligated to be with Torvald simply because he "misses" her.
DeleteHello Torvald,
ReplyDeleteMuch time has passed since our relationship had reached an impasse. Although I do not regret the decision for change, I fairly regret the execution. I admit that the idea of leaving you and children had been made in spontaneous haste. Had we taken the time to talk, perhaps, a different solution could have been made.
What I truly regret the most was the abandonment of my children, your children, our children. I had left with such finality that it would most definitely be awkward to return for even a short visit. How are they, Torvald? How much have they changed?
While I know there is but a small chance for us to once again bind hands through matrimony, I wish to reach a peaceful conclusion with both you and our children. Perhaps to include myself once more as their mother, and as a friend to yourself. I dare not want them to only remember their mother as the woman who walked away from their lives forever, or for you to remember on your dying breath the lady that cut all strings. I would like for us to be a family again, even in different form.
Please, do not respond with haste. Take the time to ponder. I will not blame you if you do wish to renew ties.
Sincerely,
Nora
Dear Nora,
ReplyDeleteI've been lonely without you, so have the children, and so has the house. Somedays I sit and wait for you to come home from the stores, other days I go over our marriage a million times in my head.
It's funny, the memories I have of you, always happy, always giddy, I can't target where I went wrong, I can't target where our marriage went wrong....but it did. I can't pinpoint the fall but it's there, like a looming dark horse in every memory I have of you, immeasurable by time, and horrifyingly constant.
It was in these days, going over my memories of you, when I noticed things. You were never sad, you were never displeased, you had one mode; my perfect wife. I think of others I know, and they aren't like my memories of you Nora, they are fully human. I have always remained that the reason you left me was insanity, some bizarre need for independence, but the more I think of you, the more I realize, the more I cannot die what you have said to me. Did I never allow you to be fully human? Was our marriage never two humans?
I thought about asking you to come back, Nora. But is a man entitled to his wife? Are you obligated to love me? No. You are not. I wish you would, but you are not.
I will keep you in my thoughts.
Torvald
Dear Torvald,
ReplyDeleteI haven't received any letter from you as mentioned in your letter. It hurts me to know that I no longer see my children. I miss them so much. Please give them a thousand kisses for me. I am living very happily with the man that treats me as a woman, and not as a house doll. I hope you are happy as well. I do not know if you got married again or not but, if you did, i wish you the best. These past days I've been thinking of my miserable life next to you, and i actually have to thank you in a lot of things. For example, with you I was able to practice my patience, my compassion, my courage, my strength, both mentally and physically, but most importantly I was able to believe in myself. I hold no grudge against you because you gave me the most beautiful gift in life which are my children. I will thank you for that until my death may arrive. I leave you now because it is time for me to hand out the medicines to my man. Have great life, a life with blessings and happiness. Good Luck!
Sincerely,
Nora