BEST SAMPE ESSAY A.D.H (APPEARANCES CAN BE MISLEADING).

 

‘Appearances can be misleading’, write an essay to show the validity of this statement, drawing illustrations from Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House.

 

Many lives are punctuated with masks and deceptive displays of success and achievement, yet the reality is that sometimes, behind our most elegant smiles are skeletons and scars that are carefully hidden from the rest of the world. This is because subterfuge has been embraced by many individuals as a smoke screen to conceal the grim realities that life hands them.

Initially, Krogstad appears to be a rancorous, unforgiving blackmailer of a Shylock who will do anything to get his rightful pound of flesh, but it is later evident that he is actually lenient and considerate. Nora borrows a loan of two hundred and fifty pounds from him to treat her ailing husband. He also realizes that she had forged her father’s signature. This pits the duo in a most excruciating duel. Helmer plans to dismiss Krogstad from his position at the bank after he is made manager, because of the latter’s character, conduct and history. Krogstad is forced to blackmail Nora in order to keep his job and attempt to redeem himself in the eyes of the society.  He writes a letter to Helmer with the details of his secret dealings with Nora. When he gets reunited with Mrs. Linde his old love, he sends Nora's bond back. This equivocally, displays how good hearted and sympathetic Krogstad can be despite appearing formerly as a vengeful man.

 

It appears at that Nora is like a puerile, juvenile woman that is extravagant, never self-reliant and only good for housekeeping.  However, her actions ascertain that she is sensible, established and strong willed. Her husband refers to her as a little squirrel and a little spendthrift but she proves to be intricately armed with arsenals of a thoughtful woman. This happens after Helmer falls ill because of overworking himself dreadfully. Earlier on he had left his office because there was no prospect of promotion. He worked early and late but could not stand it. Helmer therefore fell dreadfully ill. The doctors advised Nora that it was in order for the family to go South to get the desired treatment. Her hopes to get her husband cured make her so determined that she pleads with him to take a journey to the South as if for herself. She entreats him that she would love to travel abroad like other young wives. She cried and tried entreaties with him, requesting him to remember the state she was in. Finally, she hinted that Helmer should take a loan, but he almost became angry and abused for being thoughtless and it was his duty not to indulge in her whims and caprices. Even still, Nora remains hopeful and determined to save his life. Her determination and hope is further displayed when she goes against the chauvinistic society’s strict measure of not allowing women to borrow loans and desire to be like a man. At this time, Nora was faced with a number of challenges which could easily topple a weak willed woman. Not Norah. Her father was so ill that he later died and she was also expectant. She avoided a direct confrontation with her husband because he had strong opinions about money and it would be humiliating for him to know that he owed her anything. She also does needle work and crocheting to pay off the loan herself. She sets aside the money she gets from her husband so she’s not a spendthrift after all. It is clear that the woman is an excellent planner and not a mere spendthrift as Tovald believes.

 

Also, Torvald seems like a loving, strong, compassionate husband. Later we realize that he is trivial, egotistical and pusillanimous.  He is a vain man who only cares about his reputation and what others think of him. The reason he gives for wanting to dismiss Krogstad is that he assumes an overly familiar tone with him when others are around. Even his wife finds this narrow-minded. He is too weak to deliver the promise to risk his life’s blood and everything for Nora’s sake. When he gets wind of Krogstad’s impending blackmail, he calls Nora a criminal and a miserable creature and forbids her from raising the children. When push comes to shove, the man takes to his heels like a frightened partridge.

 

Exercise: Using the above sample, kindly try explaining how Mrs. Linde conceals her true nature to get what she wants.  

 

In conclusion, many people prefer to conceal their true identities and personalities to save face and get their selfish desires. Their actual character is eventually revealed in times of tragedy and turmoil.

THIS QUESTION CAN ALSO BE SET AS: All that glitters is not gold.

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR TIME

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