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24 Henrik Ibsen
same tastes as you ; or I pretended to I don t know
which both ways perhaps. When I look back on it
now, I seem to have been living here like a beggar, from
hand to mouth. I lived by performing tricks for you,
Torvald. But you would have it so. You and father
have done me a great wrong. It s your fault that my
life has been wasted. . . .
Helmer. It s exasperating! Can you forsake your
holiest duties in this way?
Nora. What do you call my holiest duties?
Helmer. Do you ask me that? Your duties to your
husband and your children.
Nora. I have other duties equally sacred.
Helmer. Impossible! What duties do you mean?
Nora. My duties toward myself.
Helmer. Before all else you are a wife and a mother.
Nora. That I no longer believe. I think that before
all else I am a human being, just as much as you are
or, at least, I will try to become one. I know that
most people agree with you, Torvald, and that they say
so in books. But henceforth I can t be satisfied with
what most people say, and what is in books. I must
think things out for myself and try to get clear about
them. ... I had been living here these eight years with
a strange man, and had borne him three children Oh !
I can t bear to think of it I could tear myself to pieces!
... I can t spend the night in a strange man s house.
Is there anything more degrading to woman
than to live with a stranger, and bear him chil
dren ? Yet, the lie of the marriage institution de-
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