Adlerian Psychology a Dolls House

Alfred Adler is a psychologist who developed a theory that can explain the characters’ actions in A Doll’s House. After many years of study, Adler realized the importance of motivation and how it affected people’s actions. This was later developed into a theory, known as the Adlerian Theory, which states that there must be a motivational force behind all behaviors (Fisher). Evidence of the Adlerian Theory is found in A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen through the actions of Krogstad, Torvald, and Nora. Family and friends are usually the most significant motivation to one’s actions because the concern for his or her family and friends will cause them to do whatever necessary to please them. The influence of family and friends may also affect one’s view of life and this would affect one to act differently in order to carry out his or her new attitude towards life (Boeree). An individual is part of a larger whole, the society, which means that one must to live up to society’s expectations to gain respect and acceptance (The Theory and Application of Adlerian Psychology). This demonstrates how a social setting can influence one’s behaviors. One’s primary goal in life is to gain acceptance and feel significant. The inferiority complex is when one feels a 2 lack of worth (Fisher). To overcome the inferiority complex, one must strive to reach a goal, known as the superiority complex (Fisher). In the process of the superiority complex, one will strive for perfection (Fisher). The determination to be a perfect individual forces one to act certain ways. Due to Krogstad’s desire to perfect his social status, he realizes the first step is to persuade Torvald into giving him his position back at the bank. In order to do so, he must blackmail Nora into convincing Torvald that he is more capable of the job than anyone else. Without a job, he is seen as lazy and worthless by his society, therefore, fighting for a position he believes he deserves would make others perceive him as someone who will fight for what he believes in. This delivers an image of a respectable man to society and this is what he wants. The feeling of worth and significance can cause confidence and security (The Theory and Application of Adlerian Psychology). Also, he wishes to grab every possible opportunity for his children, and without a job, the availability of these opportunities are limited. The pressure from Krogstad’s society to be respected and the love he has for his children caused him to do whatever he can to win back his job. Torvald however, is a very successful man when it comes to his job, but having his whole life revolve around it causes him to drift away from his family. He has become so attached to his new position at the bank and is so caught up with pleasing those around him that he reserves no time to spend 3 with his family. Torvald’s priority is to impress the society with his abilities and he puts his family second. Torvald’s motivation to keep him putting his everything in the bank is the respect he gets from the community. Even though the family is financially stable, he will not let Nora take money without his consent. Torvald treats Nora like a child and does not think of her as an equal to himself (Hardwick). He does this because he wants control over Nora and he craves the feeling of superiority. Because of the power and control Torvald wants over Nora, he refused Nora to borrow money when he was ill. However, Nora borrowed a large sum from Krogstad under her father’s name without Torvald’s knowledge. Nora did not consider the consequences when she forged her father’s signature because she was more concerned with Torvald’s health. Nora borrowed the money regardless of Torvald’s disapproval because she loved Torvald and could not risk him dying (Hardwick). Nora being treated the way she did by Torvald caused her to feel worthless. Torvald calls Nora by pet names which shows Torvald’s impression of her as a child. Nora and Torvald has never had an important conversation in all those years they have been married, meaning Torvald did not think Nora was intelligent or mature enough to understand important matters (Downs). This motivated her to leave Torvald and find her true self. Leaving Torvald was Nora’s way of overcoming the inferiority complex and the process of her finding herself is 4 her step into the superiority complex. In conclusion, one’s actions are caused by his or her societal surroundings or his or her personal desires. In A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Krogstad blackmailing Nora in order to get his position back in the bank is caused by his need to be accepted in society. Torvald’s control of all money coming in the household is caused by his desire to be superior to Nora. Nora’s decision to leave Torvald is caused by her need to find herself. The Adlerian Theory applies to these characters because they all have a motivational force behind their actions.