Some of Henrik Ibsen's plays can be read as a sort of allegory that teach the possible consequences of living a life of deception. Relationships based on lies will, regardless of how long they are maintained, eventually deteriorate to the point of dissolution of any family unit. Further, the relationships between husbands and wives are especially susceptible to this inevitability, which is made clear in "A Doll's House," and "The Wild Duck."

In "A Doll's House," Torvald Helmer is more concerned about ensuring his social standing than ensuring his relationship with his wife. Throughout the play, Torvald treats his wife Nora like a child. When he finds Krogstad's first letter describing his wife's deception, he cannot believe that his sweet little skylark could be such a criminal. Even though Nora explains that what she did was necessary for his health, even his life, Torvald cannot see beyond the...