The play opens with Nora and the porter, and it immediately puts the Es

The play opens with Nora and the porter, and it immediately puts the spotlight on money, which emerges as one of the forces driving the play’s conflicts Analysis The play opens with Nora and the porter, and it immediately puts the spotlight on money, which emerges as one of the forces driving the play’s conflicts as it draws lines between genders, classes, and moral standards. Though Nora owes the porter a shilling, she gives him a pound, twenty times the value, presumably because she is infused with the holiday spirit. While Nora likes to spend and allows the idea of buying presents to block out financial concerns, Torvald holds a more pragmatic view of money, jokingly calling Nora a spendthrift and telling her that she is completely foolish when it comes to financial matters. Torvald’s assertion that Nora’s lack of understanding of money matters is the result of her gender â€Å"Nora, my Nora, that is just like a woman† reveals his prejudiced viewpoint on women. He quickly makes it known that appearances are very important to him, and that Nora is like an ornament or trophy that serves to his home and his reputation. Nora’s first conversation with Mrs. Linde plays a key role in establishing Nora’s childlike, self-centered, and insensitive character. Though she claims to be interested in Mrs. Linde’s problems, Nora repeatedly turns the conversation back to her own life with Torvald. Nora’s self-centeredness is further demonstrated in her revelation that she failed to write to Mrs. Linde after her husband passed away. It is only now, three years after the fact, that Nora expresses her sympathy; up to this point, she has made no effort to think beyond herself, and the fact that she does so now seems ... ...ut her husband in a good mood by mentioning the costume that she will be wearing at the dance. The thought of Nora dressed up and looking beautiful excites Torvald, who takes great pleasure in the beauty of his house and his wife. Torvald’s remark about Krogstad—â€Å"I honestly feel sick, sick to my stomach, in the presence of such people†Ã¢â‚¬â€illustrates his deep contempt for moral corruption of Krogstad’s sort. While he thinks that such a bad character is in direct contrast to his â€Å"sweet little Nora,† we are aware that Krogstad and Nora have committed exactly the same crime—forgery. Torvald, then, has unwittingly referred to Nora when he scorns â€Å"such people.† Torvald’s unknowing condemnation of the actions of the woman he loves is an excellent example of dramatic irony, a device that makes the audience see details of which certain characters are ignorant too.