Ibsen's: A Dolls House - Mrs Linde

Ibsen has created Mrs Linde as a foil character, she brings out Nora's character well because their personalities contrast so dramatically.

ACT ONE
Nora and Mrs Linde's conversation in act one allows us to see both of their strong character traits.
Nora, is asking questions, sympathizing and giving a lot of response.
Mrs Linde however, shows little emotion, contributing little to the conversation.

NORA: It was very bad of me, Christine. Poor thing, how you must have suffered. And he left you nothing?

MRS.LINDE: No.

NORA: And no children?

MRS.LINDE: No.

Throughout their conversation in this first act, there is a constant repetition of the word "no". Although Mrs Linde is told to have much more independence and life experience compared to Nora. However, we see her as a somber, emotionless and a cold character. There Ibsen's is putting across the idea that there is a high price to be paid for independence and freedom.

Ibsen has also used Mrs Linde as a shadow of Nora. During the play, Nora searches for self-realization, independence and freedom. Mrs Linde has all of these qualities. "Yes, anyhow I think it would be delightful to have what one needs." What Mrs Linde refers to as something one "needs" is in fact freedom. She is a strong working woman who knows how to live a free life. She is freed from emotional baggage "not even any sorrow or grief to live upon." She is freed from society's expectations because she is a widow. And now, she has become free of family responsibilities as well. Now that her mother has passed on and brothers have grown up. We do see the down side to all the freedom, she has become vulnerable, financially unstable and lost the child-like positive attitude Nora still possesses in the early stages of the play.

ACT THREE

In this act Mrs Linde talks to Krogstan after a long time of not seeing.

Their relationship is much deeper than Mrs Linde and Nora's friendship. This is shown through the more active responses from Mrs Linde. "Now, Nils, let us have a talk." However, she still speaks plainly, and straight to the point. She calls Krogstan by his first name, Nils. This proves that they have/had a deep relationship. We later find out how she sacrificed that possibility of love for money, so she could care for her family. Once again, Isben has enforced the idea that freedom and independence comes at a hefty price.