Mrs Linde (Up to P163)

Mrs Linde is the symbol of liberation of women. On one hand, Mrs Linde still long for the moments when she is rid of her independence and protected under the wings of her husband. ‘Poor mother’s gone, she doesn’t need me any longer. Nor do the boys – they’re working, they can look after themselves… just unspeakably empty – I’ve no one to live for any more.’ Though she may be ‘a lot older’, she is still vulnerable and is not accustomed to the way of life where she has nowhere to place her burdens, to place her struggles. Yet on the other hand, she cherishes her independence, she is proud of her work, that she has gained respect amongst her family who now does not need her anymore – ‘of course I’m proud – and glad – to know that I was able to make Mother’s last days a little easier.’ Without a husband, Mrs Linde naturally takes on a masculine role in the family, she displays some characteristics that are only present in males in the 1900s. At the start, she ‘[looked] down’ on Nora as she is seen as an inexperienced ‘baby’ who is controlled by her husband in every way possible. However as the plot progresses, Nora’s experience unfolds, Mrs Linde sees that she is far from vulnerable and inexperienced, admiration begin to form. Here, Ibsen hints that without the burden that society and men places on them – expecting they would do anything their ‘protector’ tells them to do, expecting that they are content in just having the responsibility of looking after a family, anything that may be damaging to their wellbeing are gotten rid off by their husbands; women will be able to escape their ‘cages’, experience the society, indulge in its ups and downs. This would allow women to gain respect, to rise up in the social hierarchy, to prove to men that they are able to achieve everything men are able to accomplish. And with that, equality will come, gender differences will soon be overcome and independence will be given to all, identities will not longer be forged by society, but rather by the individuals.